March 14, 2010

Exclusive: Clovis Woman's Parents Share Their Grief After Discovery

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By Jon Brent

Story Published: Aug 14, 2009 at 3:36 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 15, 2009 at 3:56 PM EDT

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The Fresno county sheriff's department says the search has ended for a missing Clovis woman. She was found dead Friday morning. Search and rescue teams had been searching for Cherie Hamilton for the past few days. A family member tells KSEE 24 News that Cherie went camping with her boyfriend and another couple on Tuesday close to the Wishon Reservoir and McKinley Grove. The Sheriff's Department search and rescue team was dedicated to finding her, as well as many other trained volunteers including mountain climbers. Cherie's body was discovered Friday morning by rock climbers in a thirty foot ravine. Cherie graduated from Buchanan High School in 2007 and had been attending local college. The family member goes on to describe Cherie as a very sweet, kind person, who adored animals. She was employed at the Cinema 16 near the Sierra Vista Mall at the time of her death. Her Mother, Michelle Hamilton speaks to our own Jon Brent about the sadness of her untimely death.

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View Oldest Comments First

Wednesday, Dec 30 at 5:44 PM unkown wrote ...

Please give her and her family and friends a moment of silence, and pray for peace and strength to go forward. Inless you have lost a child, a friend or a family member you have no idea what pain and devastation follows.

Tuesday, Sep 8 at 7:38 PM a viewer from fresno wrote ...

i think that the boyfriend had something to do with her death and her falling from those rock

Wednesday, Aug 19 at 12:04 PM kim wrote ...

this is no place to argue and point fingers! this girl lost her life, we should be saying nice things. remember that quote "if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all. i have friends who were friends with cherie and i wish them the best in the greivences and i wish the family luck also in accepting all this! these people and family members have a true test of perseverance...

Tuesday, Aug 18 at 9:56 PM Friend of Matt's wrote ...

You people who are thinking foul play have never known Matt. He is a wonderful young man! He and my son have been friends for quite awhile. Matt has had his own brush with death. Think for a second what he must be thinking and feeling about himself! To say that your thoughts of him no where measure up to how bad he feels would be an understatement!

Tuesday, Aug 18 at 8:17 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Why does there always have to be someone to blame? An accident is simply an accident. CHERIE DESERVES TO REST IN PEACE. She would not want such negativity attached to her departure from this earth. Please understand that A LOT of people are hurting over this HUGE LOSS. Give everyone a chance to have a proper, and respectful farwell to a very sweet, loving, and caring person. And remember not to take any of your loved ones for granted. Hug them often, and don't be affraid to tell them U LUV THEM.

Monday, Aug 17 at 11:10 PM SAR Wife wrote ...

The death of such a young lady is a true tragedy & feels totally senseless, but it need'nt be. In her memory, honor Cherie, let her teach you, ler her death remind us all that humans are fragile in any wilderness situation. If you get lost STAY PUT Searchers WILL find you, helicopters WILL see bright colors on the ground, ALWAYS carry a small pack with emergency essentials, DON'T be too proud or embarrassed to call for help if a person is overdue, extra time is valuable to search teams.

Monday, Aug 17 at 10:29 PM Friend of Family wrote ...

What kind of guy would actually let his girlfriend take off by herself in the wilderness? Some caring friends, waiting 6 hours to report her missing..Sleeping while they searched for her!This is definitely a case that should be questioned much further. As a mother, I know Cherie's mother will not rest until she knows exactly what happened in those mountains.....

Monday, Aug 17 at 10:28 PM Jeeper32 wrote ...

To those who think foul play, get into the real world. It is not unusual for people to hike away for a while. Missing 6 hours before being reported missing isn't abnormal. It takes time before panic sets in and we seek help from others. Accepting that a loved one is lost is hard for the human brain. I think 6 hours is exceptional. Most people wait far longer before running to the authorites. Just my opinion as one who is responsible for finding lost souls...Don't place blame before all the facts

Monday, Aug 17 at 12:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...

My prayers go out to her family and friends. Just know that she is looking down on all of you. Such a tragedy.

Monday, Aug 17 at 12:58 AM anonymous wrote ...

My heart goes out to this family, I used to work with Cherie about a year ago, I knew her for a short time, but could tell she was a special person, and I'm so saddened to hear about what's happened, May God Comfort her family and loved ones, she was a very sweet, beautiful, caring girl...

Sunday, Aug 16 at 9:22 AM Her Aunt wrote ...

It is time to honor the life of a great person, Cherie Hamilton. From ALL indications,this was a TRAGIC ACCIDENT. And the terraine that took her life is to blame. The Hamilton family does not suspect the boyfriend, and wishes that everyone who was not close to the situation cease to rush to judgement. Please honor Cherie like she deserves, and pray for all of us. Thank you...

Sunday, Aug 16 at 7:52 AM Mountain Guy wrote ...

There's nothing fishy here folks....the Sierra's have again tragically claimed a life. I've lived up here most of my life and I've come to know very well what these mountains will claim as their due from the inexperienced. So sad..my heart goes out to the family.

Sunday, Aug 16 at 4:57 AM Annie wrote ...

I'm sadden to hear the search ended in a tragic way. My thoughts and prayers goes out the the parents of this beautiful girl.

Sunday, Aug 16 at 4:54 AM Hughes wrote ...

They wern't going back to camp. Cherie and her boyfriend Matt were going to the lake, and she wanted to take a shortcut but he told her not to. Was he suppost to leave her dog at the lake? I know all 3 of her friends that were there, all good people. And Matt would never do anything to hurt her. The news lied for the sake of spicing up a tragedy.

Sunday, Aug 16 at 4:04 AM Anonymous wrote ...

This story does not add up! What boyfriend would let the girl walk into an area he was sure was wrong...just let her go, knowing it was the wrong way...and then bring her dog back by himself....none of this makes any sense!

Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:07 AM Brande wrote ...

Why did he hike back with her dog?

Saturday, Aug 15 at 12:13 AM SWeisser wrote ...

What a sad ending to a young womens life. Our heart and our prayers go out to her parents, Family, and friends

Saturday, Aug 15 at 12:13 AM Anonymous wrote ...

This is a tragedy! More people get lost each year.Maybe they should take a survival class.

Friday, Aug 14 at 11:50 PM Danell wrote ...

My son and his girl friend know her well all are sad at the theatre. May God be with her family.

Friday, Aug 14 at 10:07 PM knightrider wrote ...

something seems fishy here!How come the boyfriend didn t follow her.And how long did it take for him to report her missing.

Friday, Aug 14 at 7:58 PM Anontmous wrote ...

Our hearts go out to her friends and family and he co-workers of SV16, she is loved and will be very missed, our prayers are with everyone who knows her

Friday, Aug 14 at 7:57 PM Anonymous wrote ...

our hearts go out to her family and friends alot of you from SV16 we are all here for eachother and she is very loved and will be missed our prayers are with her family

Friday, Aug 14 at 7:46 PM freemerryjane wrote ...

It doesnt say she was murdered or even that foul play was involved. Maybe she just lost her balance and fell. At any rate, Im very sorry the search for her ended this way. I had hoped for much better.

Friday, Aug 14 at 5:53 PM mystery wrote ...

look at the boyfriend?

Friday, Aug 14 at 5:48 PM Mark A. Peterson - Valley Power wrote ...

My heart felt condolences on the loss of your daugher, our thoughts and prayers will be with, all the gang from Valley Power Systems, Inc. Fresno, CA

Friday, Aug 14 at 4:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

RIP MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO HER FAMILY

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