OCEAN BEACH, CA. San Diego Police are still conducting an investigation into what happened to Chris Bowd, the OBcean found unconscious at Newport and Bacon the night of July 4th. Bowd remains unconscious.
To get an update, I spoke with Detective Patrick Hall, who is leading the investigation, and his sergeant. I was informed that CrimeStoppers will be doing something on Bowd’s situation this week. Often, CrimeStoppers does a re-enactment of some crime to assist potential witnesses in coming forward with info.
The police did find some evidence at the corner of Newport and Bacon, but at this time, cannot confirm anything publicly. They are checking various video cameras that were positioned close by that night.
Understandably, the police are remaining tight-lipped about their investigation, so as not to give out too much info in order to stave off false leads.
The police are encouraging anyone with information to call them: you can call Western Division non-emergency number 619-692-4800, or the general number for SDPD at 531-2000, also a non-emergency number. If you have a tip and want to remain anonymous, you can call 888-580-8477.
My last update on Chris himself was from yesterday afternoon: he is still unconscious, still stable and under heavy sedation.
Local mainstream media have been very relunctant to broadcast anything about Chris’ situation for some reason. I shared my frustration with one officer. I asked him, “Can’t you call your contacts with the Union-Tribune to get them to run something (about Bowd)?”
“Are you kidding?” he responded. “We don’t have any friends these days over there.” A sad commentary, indeed.
Local media were all over the story about the young Australian man who was beaten up and left unconscious in a firepit last summer. We heard and watched story after story about him, and finally the two guys who were arrested and convicted in the assault.
But we can’t get them to run anything on Chris. To be fair, Channel 39 did a piece Friday night and posted an online version, and Fox News 5 did a piece as well – but the audio was off the entire broadcast. Plus SignOnSanDiego did a short post. I’m told the Beacon will be running something later this week.
Yet, nothing from the print version of the Union-Tribune, nothing from the following TV channels: 6, 8, 10, and nothing from online news sources like Voiceof SanDiego, San Diego News Network, or the online versions of the Reader or San Diego CityBeat.
If you know anyone at these local media centers or have any connections, please pull on them to get them to cover Chris Bowd’s situation.
We will continue to post updates on Chris’ condition and on the investigation itself. If you find any media on him, please let us know here.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks, Frank for all your effort to get the Media involved, we are all hoping for justice and for the police investigation to be successful. We are grateful for all your contacts all participants in the community continue to pass the word. I am sending this link to Jeff and Jer to get them involve maybe we hear some comments in tomorrows radio show. Keep the prayer going for Chris full recovery.
Hi my name is Reid and Chris is my best friend and has been since 1980 and when I found out what had happened I went into shock and devastation. I think about Chris 24-7. I would like to thank my good friends Brett and reessa for calling and telling me about this website where I can keep up with Chris’s condition and the investigation. It was hard to call Chris’s mom and girlfriend for information every day, they have enough to deal with. Frank you’re the best thank you so much. sincerely Reid
i have to express what’s on a lot of peoples minds: the reason the local press covered that aussie was because he was a TOURIST ! Chris, or Dr Bowd as some would like us to say, is a local ! but damn, it’s not like he’s a homeless person. he is a ucsd research leader in glaucoma and has written numerous papers on such. i’m not putting down the homeless either in this comparison. i’m horrified at how the homeless are treated here on land – the tents, etc, – but i hope you get my meaning here. you can almost understand if the media ignored an unconscious homeless guy beaten in some random incident. but this fellow obcean was beaten near hundreds of people – unless he was injured in that alley – WTF!
hey local press ! yeah, you know who you are – get with it ! cover this story like it was a story about a tourist !
Friends of Chris Bowd: we welcome you in these unsettled days and we’re sharing in our own ways the grief around Chris’ situation. Please come here and express anything you would like to leave, anything about Chris, or leave messages for other friends of Chris. There’s nearly an entire community that is waiting for answers about this horrible incident, and Chris’ improvement.
Calling Dr. Bowd. “I love you man!”
Frank, once again, I thank you for this place to congregate.
Some who have never been to OB might not realize how easy it is for us to hang out along Newport, enjoy the bands and taverns, the food and dancing along the way, and for one of us to decide to walk on home to Chris’ house while the rest of our crew continues to enjoy the festivities. I’ve done it myself almost every time we’ve visited, and never gave that a second thought.
It scares me to think of anyone wanting to harm Chris.
Please continue your prayers and your positive vibes to help heal our friend. I have a strong feeling this is very helpful to Chris and I now it is a great comfort to all of us who care for him.
Channel 10 News online version ran a short piece on Chris today.
Here is the 10 news online news:
http://www.10news.com/news/20050414/detail.html
Update: Chris Bowd remains in an induced coma, and doctors are waiting for any brain swelling to go down. I’m told that “his numbers look good” meaning that the numbers from the various monitors that are hooked up to him appear to be good. This is encouraging.
Chris is a great guy and what has happened to him has shocked the “glaucoma research community” in which he is a highly respected researcher. I am sure your blog is keeping many people from around the world updated on his progress and we are very grateful to you for this. Our thoughts and best wishes are with him and his family. Jonathan (Melbourne, Australia)
Thank you Frank,
for getting the correct information out there
he’s in my prayers.
Short news report in San Diego New Network:
http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-07-14/news/local-county-news/police-search-for-answers-on-ob-mans-4th-of-july-injury
Another short article in San Diego Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/x-15910-San-Diego-Crime-Examiner~y2009m7d14-San-Diego-police-need-help-with-mysterious-July-4th-assault
I have seen Chris around OB for years — everyone knows him. I hope he’s okay. Thank you for the updates and coverage.
Chris is a wonderful person and a talented researcher.
I miss him dearly. My thoughts are with him.
And thank you so much for your updates.
Diana (New York City)
Finally the media is responding. I saw a clip on 7/39 and Fox tonight 6 and 10 oclock news. Anyone that has contacts with any other media radio stations please continue to pass the word. I am glad that Chris colleagues around the world are tune in on this web site. this is all the latest we have on Dr. Bowd. I continue to thank Frank for all the help he provided for Chris’ family and friends. Everyone is glad to see the support of the OB community and friends. Now I clearly understand why he loves OB so much. Please continue to express yourself as Chris’ Mom will continue to read your lines everyday.
For Mrs. Bowd,
You must realize just how much your son is admired and loved. We know Chris’ strengths! We have to believe he’s working as hard as he can at mending himself. I have a large group of people praying for his recovery. Brett and I will be in Covina this Saturday and San Diego most likely on Tuesday. Love to you.
Reesa
the UT finally ran a print article today (Weds)
San diego 6 did a piece too. Finally, it seems once one media outlet considers it newsworthy, the rest will join. let’s keep the heat on them to follow up.
Chris, I love you man. OB loves you. Hang in brother.
Frank,
Please keep up the good work to get the word out for Chris. I deeply appreciate your efforts. My prayers are with you Chris!
Your old time friend,
Jon
I have an in to Jay Allen Sanford at the Reader. He writes for the music section so unless there’s a music spin (and there really isn’t besides the fact that Chris is music fan), I’m not sure if he can do anything.
He might be able to put us in touch with one of the other writers….
I grew up across the street from Chris and was shocked and sickened to hear what has happened. I live in North Orange County now and do remember all the media that made it up here about the Aussie tourist last year. Thank you so much for putting out the word for Chris. It just doesn’t sit right to have heard nothing. We are all pulling for you Chris! Take Care Mrs. Bowd. You are both in our thoughts.
-Joy
Praying for Chris that he may awake and recover.
Chris’ oldest friend here… (35+years… since 2nd grade) Nice to see some support form Chris’ old and newer friends. Just wanted to stress the fact that although it would be nice to know the whole story and see justice served to the guilty party… the far more important thing is for Chris to fully recover.
GOOD LUCK CHRIS..PRAY AND HOPE YOU WILL RECOVER…Craig
I have come to know Chris through his exemplary work in glaucoma research. This has come as a shock to all of us in Australia who have worked with him. Our thoughts are with him and his family, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Arthur (Sydney, Australia)