09-04-2012, 11:32 AM
Apparent suicide on the Oceanside 95 leaves passengers stunned
![[Image: 6a01538eb19425970b017c31a56868970b-500wi]](http://philfriedmanoutdoors.typepad.com/.a/6a01538eb19425970b017c31a56868970b-500wi)
The sportfisher Oceanside 95 had departed Helgren’s Oceanside Sportfishing on Thursday at 7pm on a 3.5 day fishing adventure to the rich waters of Baja California Norte.
An El Nino weather condition had brought abnormally warm water to this area and along with it a plethora of uncommon visitors.
By Sunday morning, the anglers on board had been enjoying some excellent fishing for dorado, yellowtail, yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Captain Joey Helgren noticed it was 5-am and headed downstairs to wake the galley cook (whose name is not being released pending notification of relatives) so he could get breakfast going. It was only the 4thtrip for the aspiring galley cook who seemed to be missing just before daybreak.
“I went to his bunk and he wasn’t there. I checked the galley, the heads and then headed for the stern of the boat where I found him with two knives in his hands; bleeding profusely,” said Helgren. “There was nothing I could do.”
Scott Buchert form Corona del Mar heard feet stomping on the deck and what sounded like someone running around on deck about 5-am on Sunday morning. “When I got out on deck, the Captain and deckhand were running around and trying to save his life."
Buchert said he talked to the cook on several occasions during the trip. “This is all so sad,” said Buchert. “I feel really terrible for his family and only wish he would have found another way to handle his problems.”
According to passenger Ken Engle from Carlsbad, California the cook never seemed to be at ease on the trip. “He just seemed uneasy,”said Engle. “He was constantly sweating and seemed very nervous.” Engle said that the cook asked some passengers if they thought a person who killed himself would go to heaven. He asked another passenger what he thought about Junior Seau committing suicide.
Engle said that galley cook also seemed overly-concerned with the job he was doing in the galley. “I kept telling him to relax and that he was doing a good job. I just wish he would have talked to me before he took his life.”
According to Helgren, the FBI boarded the 95-foot sportfisher near the tuna pens about 70-miles south of US/Mexico border around 12-midnight on Saturday evening. The agents were transported to the sportfisher on a Coast Guard Cutter at a speed of 22-knots from San Diego and took the lead in the investigation because the death occurred in International waters.
They interviewed Captain Joey Helgren, other crew members as well as any passengers who were still awake. Buchert said that everyone who was interviewed also had the palms of their hands photographed and were asked a series of questions. Buchert said that the FBI agents asked him some of the following questions of him.
1) Did you know the deceased previously?
2) Where and when was the last time you saw him?
3) Did you ever hear him talk about wanting to kill himself?
4) Did you hear him arguing or fighting with anyone?
On Monday morning, the FBI opted to have Captain Joey Helgren dock at Camp Pendleton where the rest of the passengers could be questioned by well over 30 agents. “Each passenger went off with 2 or three agents to be questioned. There were buses to transport the passengers from Camp Pendleton to our harbor (Oceanside Harbor) making the whole process easy and painless for everyone,” said Helgren. “The FBI was fantastic.”
“San Diego FBI Agents were called but at this time we cannot comment on the investigation. Though in international waters the cause of death will be determined by the County Coroner's office.” April L. Langwell FBI - Office of Public Affairs, San Diego
I think it’s important to say that many people feel like they are facing insurmountable problems in today’s troubling times. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. If you have nowhere else to turn, pick up the phone and dial the suicide hotline. 1-800-273-8255.
“I just wish that he would have realized that there are always solutions to problems and not chosen to have taken his life,”said Helgren. “May he rest in peace.”
An El Nino weather condition had brought abnormally warm water to this area and along with it a plethora of uncommon visitors.
By Sunday morning, the anglers on board had been enjoying some excellent fishing for dorado, yellowtail, yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Captain Joey Helgren noticed it was 5-am and headed downstairs to wake the galley cook (whose name is not being released pending notification of relatives) so he could get breakfast going. It was only the 4thtrip for the aspiring galley cook who seemed to be missing just before daybreak.
“I went to his bunk and he wasn’t there. I checked the galley, the heads and then headed for the stern of the boat where I found him with two knives in his hands; bleeding profusely,” said Helgren. “There was nothing I could do.”
Scott Buchert form Corona del Mar heard feet stomping on the deck and what sounded like someone running around on deck about 5-am on Sunday morning. “When I got out on deck, the Captain and deckhand were running around and trying to save his life."
Buchert said he talked to the cook on several occasions during the trip. “This is all so sad,” said Buchert. “I feel really terrible for his family and only wish he would have found another way to handle his problems.”
According to passenger Ken Engle from Carlsbad, California the cook never seemed to be at ease on the trip. “He just seemed uneasy,”said Engle. “He was constantly sweating and seemed very nervous.” Engle said that the cook asked some passengers if they thought a person who killed himself would go to heaven. He asked another passenger what he thought about Junior Seau committing suicide.
Engle said that galley cook also seemed overly-concerned with the job he was doing in the galley. “I kept telling him to relax and that he was doing a good job. I just wish he would have talked to me before he took his life.”
According to Helgren, the FBI boarded the 95-foot sportfisher near the tuna pens about 70-miles south of US/Mexico border around 12-midnight on Saturday evening. The agents were transported to the sportfisher on a Coast Guard Cutter at a speed of 22-knots from San Diego and took the lead in the investigation because the death occurred in International waters.
They interviewed Captain Joey Helgren, other crew members as well as any passengers who were still awake. Buchert said that everyone who was interviewed also had the palms of their hands photographed and were asked a series of questions. Buchert said that the FBI agents asked him some of the following questions of him.
1) Did you know the deceased previously?
2) Where and when was the last time you saw him?
3) Did you ever hear him talk about wanting to kill himself?
4) Did you hear him arguing or fighting with anyone?
On Monday morning, the FBI opted to have Captain Joey Helgren dock at Camp Pendleton where the rest of the passengers could be questioned by well over 30 agents. “Each passenger went off with 2 or three agents to be questioned. There were buses to transport the passengers from Camp Pendleton to our harbor (Oceanside Harbor) making the whole process easy and painless for everyone,” said Helgren. “The FBI was fantastic.”
“San Diego FBI Agents were called but at this time we cannot comment on the investigation. Though in international waters the cause of death will be determined by the County Coroner's office.” April L. Langwell FBI - Office of Public Affairs, San Diego
I think it’s important to say that many people feel like they are facing insurmountable problems in today’s troubling times. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. If you have nowhere else to turn, pick up the phone and dial the suicide hotline. 1-800-273-8255.
“I just wish that he would have realized that there are always solutions to problems and not chosen to have taken his life,”said Helgren. “May he rest in peace.”
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
