Leaving their cellphones and wallets behind doesn't speak to the no foul play possibility. I wonder if anyone has tried to collect DNA from the exterior door or door handle (or if it's even possible), just in case, or if it's even a possibility now even so.

Dogs found the other missing hiker yesterday -- why is it that the dogs can't pick up their scent? It just seems frightening.

This is beginning to sound suspicious and I agree that foul play may be an option that needs to be addressed.

From my perspective, if they had been going hiking, they would have their phones and wallets, their hiking shoes, etc. There is no mention of whether the rental cabin was locked or the whereabouts of the keys to the cabin, their car keys or their home keys. If one had slipped and fallen it is unlikely that it would have happened to both. Even if both had slipped down a slope, there would likely be evidence at the side of a trail. If both had fallen, one would most likely have left the other to go for help.

I agree that this is beginning to look less like a regular missing hiker situation.

I hope they can be found soon.

After 4+ days missing, the chances are they will not be found alive.

Older people should hike in smaller groups for safety & even young people can fall prey to similar circumstances.

The difference is that most young people (adolescents) lack common sense while older people tend to get disoriented because in many instances, their minds are not firing on all right.

<Jim Rivers,
These were not "older people". According to what I read, they were very active.

My husband is 77 and is a full-time Psychologist and expert in his field. I am 72 and taking care of
toddlers all day. Please do not lecture on how people should hike or assume people are old in their '70s.

I would look at the foul play angle. Who leaves phones, wallets, and walking sticks behind when hiking unless it is just
a small little stroll down the lane?

Cell phone coverage is poor at Pt. Reyes unless you have Verizon + one does not need to carry a wallet while hiking because a CA Driver's License is not needed and cash or a VISA/MasterCard is not accepted on trails.

A transient-related crime or a fall from the cliffs is the most logical explanation after all these days have passed.

In the above article, it states that the housekeeper found wallets, phones, hiking gear, and walking sticks.
Do people go for serious hikes without hiking gear or "Walking Sticks"?

Foul play should be looked at now!

> Do people go for serious hikes without hiking gear or "Walking Sticks"?

^^ Only old people use walking sticks. You hardly ever see vibrant younger hikers carrying such outdoor amenities.

Not that there's anything wrong with walking sticks. I see old people using them in municipal parks as well.

It's the modern day 'cane' since 70 is apparently the new 50.

The husband was a scientist working with parkinsons and aides and wife was a linguist and computer tech.
They probably got forced in to a car and taken. Maybe one of them was drowning in the bay and the other one tried to save them and drowned because a drowning person tries to climb on top of the rescuer to get air- I had a lifeguard certificate.
But I think they are alive being held somewhere

Marin County Sheriif announces alerts from K9 cadaver dogs in area of Shell Beach. Search continues now as a "recovery mission" and they continue to work with the family.
Web Link

I am 68 and am trim and active and still work. But I am definitely showing my age. And I'm younger than these people. We are definitely vulnerable in these older ages. People know you're "older" and may definitely take advantage of you. This absolutely has got to be foul play. Inverness has a low crime rate yes but it's not without crime. Nowhere is. I hope to God they find them alive.

I live in this area of West Marin, although I am originally from Palo Alto,myself. To me, the whole thing is beginning to sound like a possible double-suicide, becoming more common among seniors for a variety of reasons. Questions I still have: why would they leave all their stuff behind? Did they take the key to the cottage or leave it open? Was one of them seriously ill, by any chance? Also they disappeared together on Valentine's Day, leaving everything behind, which has an eerie feeling to it. No one has even mentioned this possibility except 2 people I've seen so far. Either that or a homicide by a transient or other criminal. There are plenty of thieves out that way in West Marin breaking into parked cars, so there is that element, probably more prevalent on big holiday weekends, too.

I have read that they were last seen at their rental on Friday, and also a witness saw them at Shell Beach. Which was it and which was the most recent?
They easily could have gone for a last minute stroll, just planning to enjoy the area another time, so not take items, but got lost, or injured; one fell and the other person tried to help and also got injured. Maybe they ended up in water, although searched, they should keep looking in water area. Doubt dogs would be wrong.
Not impossible for someone to take them, take them into a car, take them someplace else. Maybe with all the news/media that person (s) got scared and did something bad to them. Any animals around there that could take them to another area? Please keep searching. They have to be somewhere. Are they using infrared to help search?
Think about search on Maui, HI for missing hiker - Amanda. Are they reaching out to those search people, getting help with the use of technology, like they did in that situation?

The Valentines Day double suicide referenced above seems like the likeliest scenario. From the beginning, this seemed like two people who wanted to vanish. If that’s the case, then good for them for doing it their way.

For the people who have suggested they were abducted, I have one question — why? What possible motive is there?

I don't for one minute think this was a double suicide and hope that they can still be found alive.

If it was a double suicide, it doesn't explain the lack of bodies. They must have walked without taking their hiking gear so their remains would be close. It is was a double suicide, then why no note of explanation or goodbye to family? It doesn't seem to fit the circumstances.

Abduction seems far fetched, but something has happened and is now just as likely as accidental or deliberate cause.

I have known Carol since graduate school at Stanford (almost 50 years now) and we have known Ian and Carol as a couple for several years. We've had dinner with them several times over these past years, and we always stop at the Farmer's market and chat. They are happy and healthy and enjoying life to the fullest. It is highly improbable that they wanted to disappear or commit suicide. They had an accident or were abducted. If they had an accident, there are plenty of items in that house with their scent; I'm puzzled why the search dogs can't pick it up. If they were abducted, I pray with all my might they they are alive.

> The Valentines Day double suicide referenced above seems like the likeliest scenario.

^^^ is this considered a romantic gesture or undertaking? I would think not.

John Deri living in Inverness mysteriously vanished from the area in 2014. Search his name. Also 2 women vanished from nearby beaches of pt. reyes within 2 weeks of each other in 2010. Claimed they were taken out by sneaker waves but their bodies never washed up nor were they ever found. I really think the authorities shouldn’t be ruling out foul play!

THEY'RE ALIVE!!!!! Just found 30min ago near Shell Beach. Trying to extract them by helicopter.