Body of Missing Aviation Editor Recovered From Malibu Ravine (Aviation Week's Michael Dornheim)

NBC4 ^ | June 13, 2006

[EveningStar]

MALIBU, Calif. -- Authorities confirmed Tuesday morning that a body found in a wrecked car in the Malibu area was that of an aviation magazine editor last seen leaving a Calabasas restaurant on June 3rd.

County firefighters discovered the car and the body of Michael Arthur Dornheim, 51, on Monday...

[martin_fierro]

Aeronaut Ping

[JRios1968]

Good thing they found him. Give his remains the respectful burial they deserve and his family the peace of mind of knowing what happened.

[Sabatier]

Also,"A friend said that Dornheim was planning to take the back road home from Coldwater Canyon to Mulholland Drive and then to the Ventura (101) Freeway."

Those canyon back roads are scary in the daytime, never mind at night. It'd be pretty easy to miss a turn at night if you go even a little too fast. Poor guy, I'm sure he'll be missed by his friends and family.

[Physicist]

Aeronaut Ping

Now, that's just wrong.

[martin_fierro]

?

[Physicist]

Oh, I see. You meant his job. Nevermind.

[peggybac]

I agree - I rarely took canyon roads when I lived in LA, especially from Malibu to the valley. Prayers for him and his family.

[Redcloak]

Actually, it looks like he lost it on a straight section of Piuma Road. I wonder if he fell asleep. (Not that I should talk about driving mountain roads while drowsy. "There, but for the grace of God, go I.")

[martin_fierro]

!

< |:)~

[VOA]

Those canyon back roads are scary in the daytime, never mind at night.

About a decade ago, I tried one of those canyon roads upon my arrival
in Los Angeles.

I found out my old 4 cyl. Citation didn't have the umph to get up
the road...and I could barely find a place to turn around!

Definitely requires a vehicle with at least modest horsepower...
and good handling for safe passage.

[Aeronaut]

[wtc911]

Those canyon back roads are scary in the daytime, never mind at night

-------------------------------------------

White-knuckle all the way.

[dalereed]

"White-knuckle all the way."

Learn how to drive!

[MindBender26]

Many of those canyon and coast roads in Central and Northern California have signs saying that they are NOT police patrolled!

[Jonah Johansen]

Was the car found 500 yards from the nearest road with a JATO mounted in the trunk?

[raygun]

ping

[wtc911]

I was driving at 15. Grew up with my hands wrapped around the wheel of a '63 Bonneville. Used to bury the needle all the time. Switched to a Volvo P-1800 at 21. I know how to drive...those Canyons still scare the poop out of me.

[Walkingfeather]

I was a member of the Malibu Search and Rescue team for 9 years. I will check with my buds on the team for any details.

[af_vet_rr]

Here in Central Texas, we had something similar happen not too long ago, except it went on for a year - somebody went off the road into one of the canyons and wasn't found for about a year or so. It was only after a drought thinned out the vegetation that they were found. I don't remember the situation about why they weren't found at the time - I think people were under the impression they were leaving town or moving or something.

It was really weird - I want to say they were within 50 feet or so of a road that saw hundreds or even thousands of cars everyday.