Editor:

Missing: Nov. 19, 2004, Mark James Ledbetter, coworkers Nicholas Reed Lindholm, and Brandon Lee Kammerer were four wheeling in Mark's truck on Casper Mountain (CM) when Mark's truck got stuck on the access road from Pitchpin Canyon road to Whiskey Flats (WF).

As dark was approaching Lindholm and Kammerer decided to walk out and leave Mark behind. They reached a ranch more than six miles from the truck about 6:30 p.m.

They turned down the rancher's offer of immediate help to get the truck and failed to tell him that Mark was still stranded on CM. Reportedly, the Natrona County Sheriff's Office was not called until the next morning.

However, there are documented conflicting statements by Lt. Anderson, Sheriff Benton, investigator Sexton and the two coworkers about notification.

Search : Nov. 20, 2004, one deputy started 9:26 a.m.; two more deputies join about noon while first deputy picks up Lindholm to help find truck; 3:00 p.m. Pitchpin, vehicle found not person: 4:15 p.m. search leader Lt. Anderson en route to CM, he arrived and suspended search at 5:28 p.m.

Nov. 21, 2004, 6:40 a.m., Lt. Anderson and three deputies resume search (Casper Star-Tribune's police calls shows a juvenile problem in the 5300 block of Nez Perce Trail at 11:12 a.m.); 11:22 a.m. Lt. Anderson and three deputies reported en route to Nez Perce Trail; 12:36 p.m. Fenominal Towing is en route to CM, stuck truck; 1:51 p.m., Lt. Anderson notified Fenominal was called to come get this truck last night from a female; 2:07 p.m., Lt. Anderson and three deputies reported never en route to Nez Perce; 3:57 p.m., Lt. Anderson, wrecker has vehicle; 5:07 p.m. completed call.

Nov. 22, 2004, 12:54 p.m., Lt. Anderson and two deputies went home for equipment and went to CM between 2:01-2:53 p.m.; 5:31 p.m., all left CM. Nov. 23, 2004, by 7:30 a.m. Three deputies to CM; 3:09 p.m., all completed and all further search efforts stopped. Lt. Anderson never showed up.

The truck was stuck about 150 feet from WF, yet WF was never searched (later Mark's remains were found in an open WF area). There was no: grid search, aircraft over flights, night efforts, infrared detectors, dogs, call for snowmobiler or volunteer help, CM Fire Department, horseback searchers, posters. Comment to caspermtdad2321@yahoo.com

KIRK LEDBETTER, Las Vegas