Modoc County Record – November 15, 2001 NEWS Murder case remains under investigation The Sheriff's Department continues to uncover evidence in the death of a 94-year-old Willow Ranch woman, Alice Beck. Modoc Undersheriff Mark Gentry said there is volumes of evidence involved in the case, most of it paperwork taken from the woman's home. The suspect in the case, Sam Brown, age 68, is being mostly cooperative, said Gentry. He apparently was a tenacious record-keeper. An autopsy on Beck's remains was performed Wednesday morning and the results of that autopsy could move the case forward. She is alleged to have died in December, 1999, and Brown placed her body in a chest. That chest was stored in a shed at the residence. Sheriff's deputies found the chest and the mummified body of Beck last Wednesday. Brown, who was Beck's caregiver, said she had died of natural causes. According to Gentry, Brown has stated he was a friend of Beck's husband, who is long deceased. Gentry said there is evidence in Brown's records that indicate Beck was not given exemplary care. The pair had lived in the Willow Ranch home for the past 14 years, coming to Modoc from Daly City, in the Bay Area. According to Gentry, the investigation so far has not revealed any next of kin. No one reported her missing over the almost two-year period Brown said she had been dead. Gentry said the pair had a joint checking account in Lakeview where Mrs. Beck's Social Security checks were directly deposited. Brown had signatory rights on that account and is alleged to have spent some of those funds following Beck's death. Gentry also said the investigation is turning up other financial information. Beck's body, who would have been 96 this year, was found stuffed in a fetal position in a chest in the old shed at her Willow Ranch residence, on County Road 139. Brown, age 68, remains in custody on a homicide investigation. A neighbor of Beck's had called the Sheriff's Office concerned that she had not been seen for over a year. That neighbor asked the Sheriff to check if she was all right. When a Sheriff's deputy questioned Brown at the residence Nov. 6, he said she was out of the area visiting. The following morning, an emotional Brown contacted the Sheriff's Office and told them Beck had died of natural causes and he had placed her body in the shed. The investigation is continuing. Ginger Preston Vink Lifetime Alturas resident Ginger Dee Preston-Vink, passed away on October 23, 2001 at Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, Calif. Just 41, she was diagnosed with liver cancer not long before it claimed her life........ Born Ginger Preston in Alturas, Calif. to Donald and Mary Preston on October 10, 1960, she continued to make Alturas her home following her years at Modoc High. The mother of four had served as Executive Chairperson on the RISE Board of Directors when Resources for Indian Student Education Center opened in Alturas in April 1995. She received training as a nurses' aide at Modoc Medical Center, earning her certificate as a nurses' assistant. She was hired and employed at the Skilled Nursing Facility at Modoc Medical Center. Mrs.Vink enjoyed time with her friends and family, especially her husband and children. She liked to fish, golf, barbecue, watch sports, play softball and cut wood. She enjoyed the outdoors. She is survived by her husband Tony Vink, Jr. of Alturas; children Chris, Josie, Quintin and Raquel "Lucy" Preston, all of Alturas; her parents of Alturas; father-in-law Tony Vink Sr. of Boise, Idaho; siblings Wally, Robert, Ronald, Charlie, Arthur, Patrick and Patricia, all of Alturas; uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces nephews and will also be missed by her many friends. Wake services were held the evening of October 29. A funeral at Modoc Full Gospel Indian Assembly in Alturas was attended by crowds paying their respects on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. Burial followed at Alturas Cemetery. Kerr Mortuary handled arrangements. Muriel Barthold Griswold Teacher, community supporter and long-time Alturas resident, Muriel Barthold Griswold passed away at the age of 88 in San Rafael, Calif., on October 26, 2001. Mrs. Griswold had moved from Alturas, her home since 1942, to Marin County three years ago to be near her daughters. According to her wishes, a private family service will be held Saturday, November 17, where she will be interred in the Barthold Family grave site at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, Calif. Muriel was born May 27, 1913 in Sebastopol, Calif. She spent her early years in San Jose and attended high school and college in San Francisco. She graduated from San Francisco State in 1935 with a teaching credential and a minor in Physical Education. After graduating, she was a lifeguard at the YWCA, did private and public school teaching, and as a camp counselor, she met Wallace Griswold at Huntington Lake. They were married in Menlo Park in the Stanford Chapel on August 27, 1939 and moved to Alturas in 1942 with three-month-old daughter Mikele. Their son Lee was born in 1943 and daughter Kristin in 1948. In 1951 she began teaching in the Alturas Elementary School in the First and Third grades. She taught for 20 years before retiring. She was a member of the California Teachers Association and the Modoc County Teachers Association. Mrs. Griswold was active in the community as a member of American Association of University Women, the Art Center, Modoc Historical Society, Trails West Assn., the Modoc Gem and Mineral Society, the Federated church and the Alturas Garden Club where she had been honored for her commitment in organizing and contributing to their plant sales. She loved Modoc County and although she had been reared in a city, she enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing and all of nature which she shared with the students she taught. Mrs. Griswold was a practical, responsible, hard worker and a wonderful friend to those who were involved with her in the community. She hoped she helped make the world a better place through her teaching and involvement. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Wallace Griswold who died September 11, 1982. She is remembered and loved by her daughter Mikele Dunbar of Novato, Calif.; her grandson David Looper and his wife Ella of San Diego, CA.; her son Lee Griswold and wife Vicky of Kalispell, Montana and daughter Kristin Gilberti, husband Ray and grandson Leo of Woodacre, CA. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in Mrs. Griswold's memory to your favorite community organization. Cathie Anne Yori Cathie Anne Yori, 46, beloved wife of James Yori of Cedarville, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on November 10, 2001 at her Cedarville, Calif. home. Services are tentatively scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cedarville Community Church. Minister Scott Menez will conduct the service. Please contact Kerr Mortuary to confirm service date and time. The petite Mrs. Yori was a shy, quiet and gentle person, who adored her grandchildren and enjoyed reading. She loved to shop for clothes and jewelry. Born on January 23, 1954 to Betty and Victor Adams in Watsonville, Calif., she completed high school there. At age 19, she was hired as an electronic assembler in Mountain View, by her department manager, Jim Yori. The two fell in love and were married on May 4, 1973 in Reno, Nev. They were also best friends. They lived in San Jose, Manteca, Tracy and Phoenix, Ariz., and Alturas as Jim's work required. They have called Cedarville home for the past 11 years. Mrs. Yori enjoyed being a homemaker throughout their years together. She had lovingly cared for her husband of 28 years, following his cancer surgeries and treatments this past year. She was preceded in death by her son James Anthony Yori on the eve of his 23rd birthday in 1995, and her parents. She is survived by her husband James of Cedarville; daughter Betty Marie Coffey and husband Jeremy of Alturas; step-son James Lee Yori of Mounds View, Minnesota; grandchildren Coy Evans, 8, of Alturas; Jade Coffey, 3, of Alturas; step-grandchildren Sean Yori, 18; Cassie Yori, 16, of Wisconsin; two brothers, Fred Adams and family of Tracy and Jack Adams and family of Fairfield; sister Nellie Adams Wiseman and family of Ventura and numerous nieces and nephews. Wilson E. Slinkard A service for Wilson E. Slinkard, 79, of Chico was held Saturday, Nov. 10 at Brusie Funeral Home in Chico, Calif. Mr. Slinkard died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001 in Chico, Calif. He was born Oct. 28, 1922 in Eagleville, Calif., Modoc County, to Warren and Gertrude Slinkard, and attended and graduated from schools in Eagleville. He married Marianne Morrison in Chico on Sept. 24, 1967. Mr. Slinkard retired after 30 years as a Farm Engineer with Llano Seco Rancho. He was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church, the Chico Elks Lodge, and Checker Board Square Dance Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, square dancing, teaching round dance, and spending time with his family. Survivors include wife, Marianne of Chico; two sons, Jerry Slinkard of Sacramento and Mel Morrison of Susanville; a sister, Dorothy Holeck of Mt. Shasta; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Aldersgate Methodist Church, American Lung Association and/or Native Daughters of the Golden West. Burial took place at Glen Oaks Cemetery. NOVEMBER 21, 2001 Autopsy yields no clues in death An autopsy performed last week on the mummified remains of 94-year-old Alice Beck provided no clues to her cause of death, according to Sheriff Bruce Mix. Her live-in caregiver, Sam Brown, age 68, remains in custody and is being investigated on homicide charges. Beck's remains will be sent to another lab for further examination, said Mix. The Sheriff's Department continues to examine volumes of evidence involved in the case, most of it paperwork taken from the woman's home. Beck is alleged to have died in December, 1999, and Brown said he placed her body in the chest. That chest was stored in a shed at the residence. Sheriff's deputies found the chest and the mummified body of Beck two weeks ago, after being called by a neighbor who hadn't seen Beck in over a year. Brown contends Beck died of natural causes. According to Undersheriff Mark Gentry, there is evidence in Brown's records that indicate Beck was not given exemplary care. The pair had lived in the Willow Ranch home for the past 14 years, coming to Modoc from Daly City, in the Bay Area. According to Gentry, the investigation so far has not revealed any next of kin. No one reported her missing over the almost two-year period Brown said she had been dead. Gentry said the pair had a joint checking account in Lakeview where Mrs. Beck's Social Security checks were directly deposited. Brown had signatory rights on that account and is alleged to have spent some of those funds following Beck's death. Gentry also said the investigation is turning up other financial information. Beck's body, who would have been 96 this year, was found stuffed in a fetal position in a chest in the old shed at her Willow Ranch resident.. Bertha M. (Gerig) Mumma Bertha Marie (Gerig) Mumma passed away on November 17, 2001, three months after celebrating her 110th birthday. Born August 13, 1891, at the home ranch of her parents, William and Sarah Gerig, in Bieber (Big Valley), CA. The ninth of 11 children, she was affectionately known as "Birdie" or "Aunt Birdie" to her sisters, brothers and their families. Married to Roy B. Mumma in 1919, they made their first home in Brewster, Wash., where she continued to live until her death. She was mother to sons Glen, Ray and Don, and a daughter who died at birth. She also adopted and raised her grandson Kent "Sonny" Mumma. Bertha is survived by her son, Ray; Sonny and his wife, Jo; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Carroll Hayes (Fall River Mills, CA), Dorothy Kramer, and Oral "Sam" Gerig (Bieber, CA). Bertha loved to return to her childhood home in Big Valley, CA to visit her brothers, sisters and their families, and did so every summer until her health prohibited such long trips. Siblings who proceeded her in death were: Millie Gerig Waters; Emma Gerig Hayes; Lena Gerig Fox; Keturah Gerig Farmer; William, Peter and Charles Gerig; and two siblings who died in childhood. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to her many caregivers who allowed her to stay in her home until her passing. A very special thank you to Dr. Harold Stout, Dr. Linda Nichaus and Carla Boyd, as well as to her nephew, Carroll Hayes, and great-niece, Lynne Gerig, for the many letters over the years that kept her well informed about her California family. A memorial service will be held in Brewster, Wash. At Barnes Chapel on December 10 at 2:00 p.m., with committal services to follow at the Brewster, Washington Cemetery. Donald Laurance Felix Donald Laurance Felix, 68, passed away at Mercy Hospital in Redding, Calif. on Nov. 11, 2001. Mr. Felix was retired and moved to Alturas in 1987, after 29 years as a Central Office Telephone Installer for Western Electric, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He was the recipient of many service awards for outstanding achievement, while employed at AT&T. He worked as a Central Office Installation Supervisor while living on the Monterey Peninsula from 1961 until he retired in December 1986. Born in Sanger, California on June 11, 1933, he graduated from Sanger High and completed courses at Commercial Trades Institute in Chicago, Ill. He served as an Airman First Class with the Air Force in Alaska during the Korean War. He received his discharge July 3, 1955. On November 5, 1955, he married Martha Gass in Sanger. The two have shared 46 years of marriage. Mr. Felix was in the Air Force Reserves until July 3, 1959. From 1955 until 1961, he moved from Sanger to Bakersfield and San Francisco with his work. The family moved to Monterey Peninsula from 1961 until Mr. Felix retired in December 1986. He was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers. April of 1987, the Felix family moved to Alturas where Donald enjoyed being a gentleman farmer. An avid fisherman, he also loved camping and hunting, enjoyed bowling and as a Raiders fan, he enjoyed watching footbal.l Family and friends will gather in June for a remembrance service. He is survived by his wife Martha Felix of Alturas; son Richard Felix of Ceres, Calif.; daughter, Deborah Felix of Seaside, Ca.; daughter Donna Thomas, Carmel Valley, Calif.; daughter Marian Loomis, Wonder Valley, Calif.; brothers, Glenn Felix of Crescent City and Seymour Felix of Texas; four grandsons and five granddaughters. NOVEMBER 29, 2001 NEWS Plane crash near Eagle Peak kills 5 Five people were killed last Wednesday when their twin engine Aero Commander airplane crashed in the Warner Mountains. The crash site was discovered Friday after bad weather prevented a search Thursday. According to Modoc County Sheriff Bruce Mix, the plane left Reno Wednesday morning en route to Wenatchee, Wash., but disappeared over Modoc. According to Mix, the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but it appears the plane hit the east side of Eagle Peak about 100 yards south and 100 feet below the 9,980 foot mountain. After impact it slid about 100 feet down the slope. An Army National Guard rescue helicopter from Sacramento reached the scene of the accident on Friday and found no survivors. As of Tuesday, two of the bodies had been recovered, but weather conditions and the structural condition of the downed aircraft has hampered retrieval of the other bodies. There are no roads anywhere near the crash site and the only viable means of getting people in and out of the area is by helicopter. "We're held up by the weather," said Mix. "As soon as the weather breaks, we'll get up there to retrieve the remaining bodies. It looks like that may not be until the end of the week . . . another big storm is headed this way. While it may be clear in the valley, conditions are much different on the mountain." Mix said a recovery crew from Siskiyou County, which works rescue and recovery on Mt. Shasta has been contacted and will be involved in the recovery effort once the weather breaks. The victims in the downed plane include: Tom Blaesing, owner of Commander Northwest; Brian White, the company's director of maintenance; White's wife, Jody White; John Peters, co-owner of a Wenatchee restaurant; and John Topkok, a Commander Northwest pilot. The bodies of Brian White and Peters were recovered. Mix said it appears the pilot tried to bank out of the course he was on, but "pancaked" into the mountain slope, belly side of the high-wing plane first. According to reports, the plane was owned by Commander Northwest, Ltd., of Wenatchee, a company that provides planes and pilots for hire. It had left Reno Wednesday with another company plane piloted by chief pilot Dave Winetraub. Winetraub's plane made it safely to Wenatchee. Both planes were part of a group that went to Reno on a end-of-the-season promotion put on by the company for its employees and were returning home. The plane was last tracked by radar about 100 miles south of the Oregon border at 11:11 a.m. Nov. 21 when it disappeared. The pilot made no contact indicating any trouble and an emergency transmitter was never activated. Investigation into death, hospital cameras slows The investigation into two major crimes this month, the death of 94-year-old Alice Beck, and the hidden cameras found at Modoc Medical Center Clinic examining rooms, are moving slowly and deliberately. According to Modoc County Sheriff Bruce Mix, a forensic anthropologist will examine the mummified remains of Beck. Her body was found Nov. 7, stuffed into a chest stored in a shed next to her Willow Ranch home. Sam Brown, age 68, who lived with Beck, remains in custody in the Modoc County Jail. He has told officers Beck died in December, 1999, of natural causes, and he placed her body in the chest. He was arraigned on three felony charges, second degree murder, elder abuse with an enhancement that the abuse caused Beck's death, and grand theft for illegally using Beck's Social Security money. Some disparities in Brown's testimony led to the murder charge, said Mix. "It's going to take time to sort this case out," said Mix. "The condition of the body, in its mummified state, is slowing the process on finding the cause of death." What makes the case more complex and frustrating, said Mix, is they have be unable to find any of Beck's next of kin. They have searched through volumes of records in the Beck home, but have yet to have a breakthrough. Beck was reported missing by a neighbor had who hadn't seen her in about a year, said Mix. When deputies went to the home to check on her welfare, Brown told them she was not there and was visiting out of the area. The next day, he called the Sheriff's Office and led them to Beck's body. Beck and Brown had lived in the Willow Ranch area for about 14 years, having moved from Daly City in the Bay Area. Brown has told officers he was Beck's caregiver. "We're hoping the autopsy will give us the necessary information," said Mix. Brown is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Modoc Superior Court Dec. 18, 1:30 p.m. Robert Flynn Robert Flynn, spent years enjoying visits to Modoc County, and had moved to Alturas two months ago. Mr. Flynn passed away in Grass Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001. He was 62. No services will be conducted. Born January 17, 1939, in Denver, Colo. to Hugh and Barbara Flynn, he moved to Grass Valley in 1941. He graduated from Nevada Union High School in 1956, and worked for the State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for 40 years, before retiring in May 2001. He loved visiting Modoc County where his wife's relatives lived He and his wife Janice (Brennan) Flynn relocated from Grass Valley to Alturas, after his father-in-law, Ray Brennan of Alturas, passed away and shortly after Mr. Flynn retired He was a member of the Grass Valley Elks Lodge No. 538, American Legion Post 130 and I.D.G.A.S. Club and affiliated with Alturas Elks Lodge BPOE No.1756 He is survived by his wife Janice of Alturas; son Michael Flynn of Susanville; son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Darla Flynn of Grass Valley; stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Lynn and Alan Uchida of Alturas; stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Jim and Lori McGarva of Olympia, Wash.; and stepson Bob McGarva of Taunton, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Rose Marie Weddleton Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Aid Thrift Shop in Grass Valley. Arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of the Angels, Grass Valley ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.