Dana Knowles reports on Atadero press conference, 4 p.m., June 10, 2003
Jaryd Atadero disappeared Oct. 2, 1999 while hiking with his father's friends. Weeks of searching ensued, but failed to turn up any trace of the child.
Then last week, two hikers found pieces of Jaryd's tattered clothing. They led sheriff's investigators to the site.
Alderden didn't specify what may have attacked the boy, but the theory has been that he was killed by a mountain lion or other predatory animal.
The most logical explanation at the time of the disappearance was that Jaryd somehow fell prey to some sort of predator, either was attacked by a predator and carried off or was somehow injured and then a predator found him, said Alderden. Looking at the clothing, looking at where this location was, the topography of the area, I think that everything that we are finding is consistent with that theory posed at that time.
The state Division of Wildlife says there are only two fatal mountain lion attacks on record for the past 33 years.
Alderden said the clothing was scattered up a steep slope about 150 feet from where Jaryd was last seen, about a mile and a quarter up the Big South Trail in Poudre Canyon. The sheriff said the slope was so steep, it took about 30 to 35 minutes to climb.
No traces of blood were found on the clothing, but the sheriff said years of exposure to the elements could have leached the stains away. Two different types of hair were clinging to the clothes. The sheriff said some of the hairs were light and some were dark. They will be analyzed at a laboratory.
A team of 20 to 25 people will return to the area this weekend to search more thoroughly. So far, the boy's remains haven't been found and authorities haven't declared him dead.
Allyn Atadero, the boy's father, was at the press conference and said he realized that he might never have the answers to all his questions. The last three and a half years, waking up everyday, wondering what happened to Jaryd has been a struggle, it's been painful, he said.
Atadero expressed his appreciation to the two hikers, Gary Watts and Robert Osborne, who found the clothes. I will thank them every day of my life, he said.
Key dates in disappearance of Jaryd Atadero:
Oct. 2, 1999 -- Three-year-old Jaryd Atadero of Littleton vanishes during hike on a trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area west of Fort Collins.
Oct. 8 -- Authorities call off search after finding no trace of the boy in hiking area or nearby Poudre River.
Oct. 12 -- Independent trackers find hand and footprints, but authorities say no conclusive links to Jaryd.
October 2000 -- President Clinton signs bill dedicating the trail to Jaryd.
June 5, 2003 -- Hikers find boy's fleece-pullover, pants and shoes on a mountain slope several hundred feet from the trail where he was last seen.
June 10 -- Larimer County authorities say evidence suggests Jaryd was attacked by an animal, possibly a mountain lion.
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