Clues sought for missing tourists

Karen Zekan

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The mysterious disappearance of four German tourists from Death Valley this summer has investigators appealing to the public in hopes of triggering a memory that could fill in the blanks.

An extensive search coordinated by the Nevada Division of Investigation has turned up no hints as to the travelers' whereabouts since their car was found abandoned with three flat tires in a ravine off Anvil Spring Canyon in late October.

The foursome arrived in the U.S. in July, eventually making their way through California to Las Vegas in a minivan rented in Los Angeles by Cornelia Meyer, 33.

Joining Meyer on the trip was her son, Max Meyer, 4; friend Egbert Rimkus, 33, and Rimkus' son, Georg Weber, 10.

Records indicate that they checked out of their Treasure Island hotel room July 22, paying cash, and drove that same day to Death Valley.

A July 23 entry in a visitor's guest book in the national park reads, "We crossed the pass," and was signed, "Conny, Egbert, Georg and Max."

Investigators have no leads to explain what happened between July 23 and Oct. 23 when the minivan was recovered. Inside was: an American flag taken from a cabin in Butte Valley, five miles from the vehicle's location; a booklet on Death Valley purchased at the visitor's center on July 22; and numerous personal items, including photos.

A beer bottle was found a half-mile away from the minivan; its brand matched other bottles found in the vehicle.

"We are very eager to solve this case," said Terry Callison, assistant state coordinator for the Nevada branch of the International Criminal Police Organization.

"Their relatives in Germany have heard nothing from them," Callision said. "We want to make sure no one is preying on tourists. We're hoping someone saw them, maybe gave them a ride or know where they are now."

Disturbing to investigators is that temperatures ranged in the 120s the week the tourists were last seen alive -- temperatures which could easily kill someone traveling without water and air-conditioning for longer than three days.

A team of 45 searchers, eight horses and four helicopters from numerous law enforcement agencies combed the remote area where the minivan was recovered in October, a rescue effort that cost at least $80,000.

Investigators have ruled out foul play, although Callison declined to further comment.

Anyone who has seen the tourists or knows of their whereabouts is asked to call NDI's INTERPOL liaison office at 384-0415.

Weber

Cornelia and Max Meyer