Did Steve Fossett Fake His Own Death? - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports

posted by: Nina Sparano

ABC NEWS - Steve Fossett, the millionaire adventurer, disappeared with a small plane in Nevada eleven months ago, and has since been declared dead. But today British and Australian tabloids are full of this story:

"ROUND-THE-WORLD flying ace Steve Fossett may have FAKED his own death in the mystery plane crash that left NO WRECKAGE and NO BODY," says "News of the World."

This from The Register of London: "Despite a massive search for Fossett and his Bellanca Citabria Super Decathalon, no trace of either has ever been found. Lieutenant Colonel Cynthia Ryan of the US Civil Air Patrol, who was involved in the operation from the start, said: 'I've been doing this search and rescue for 14 years. Fossett should have been found. It's not like we didn't have our eyes open. We found six other planes while we were looking for him. We're pretty good at what we do.'"

"Ryan believes Fossett "may have faked his own death due to personal problems or fears about his business dealings", the Telegraph explains."

You can find similar stories, with identical quotes, from Sky News and the New Zealand Herald, but you get the idea.

The national headquarters of the Civil Air Patrol has now responded with this statement:

"Recent comments attributed to Ryan regarding the search for Fossett contain errors of fact, appear to be taken out of context and were not released with the knowledge or approval of CAP. Civil Air Patrol's role in the search for Fossett, as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, was limited to search and rescue in coordination with other emergency service providers. Issues pertaining to Fossett's personal life and/or rumors surrounding his disappearance are entirely unrelated to CAP's search efforts and, therefore, it would be inappropriate for CAP to comment."

The statement adds this quotation: "The search for Steve Fossett is a testament to the unforgiving terrain comprising the search area," said CAP Lt. Col. E.J. Smith. "The combination of high altitude, thick forest and mountainous terrain proved to be unconquerable during this particular search operation."

Col. Ryan, reached in Nevada, said, "As much as I'd like to, I've been instructed not to talk to the media."

Richard Branson, a long-time friend and backer of Fossett's long-distance adventures, was asked about the stories this morning. "I'm absolutely sure that it's absolutely bullocks. And you know he's was the most wonderful man and he had everything to live for. I think it's pretty unfortunate that people are speculating this way. It's below the belt and pretty unpleasant."

At the Melbourne Herald Sun, a reader responds to a Fossett story, "He's probably sharing a house with Elvis!"