Marine's parents fear son victim of foul play

Lawman says he 'participated in his own disappearance'

By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News
September 13, 2006

ELDORADO SPRINGS - While Marine Lance Cpl. Lance Hering's parents suggested Tuesday he might have been a victim of foul play, a sheriff's official said he is inclined to believe Hering took part in his disappearance and has likely left the state.

"Two weeks ago today, Lance left our house in Boulder for some hiking and climbing," Hering's father, Lloyd, said at the mouth of Eldorado Canyon, where searchers combed the steep mountainous area for several days. "No one we can depend upon has seen Lance since that moment he left here."

But Boulder County's Sheriff's Commander Phil West said investigators lean toward a theory that Lance Hering "participated in his own disappearance."

"That's the major premise," West added. "I suppose the minor premise is he could have been done away with. It's something we're still open to. We're certainly investigating both avenues."

Deputies said they're pursuing several leads, but still don't know the missing Marine's whereabouts.

"My hunch is he is not (in Colorado)" because of the intense, local publicity, West said.

West said he could not talk in detail about the leads, but it is believed that Lance Hering is alive.

Lance Hering's hiking partner, Steve Powers, first told authorities Aug. 30 that Lance had fallen while hiking, hit his head and was unconscious.

Later, Powers told police he and Lance Hering had made up that story so the Marine could slip away rather than return to his unit. Lance Hering had just come back from his first tour in Iraq.

Powers was arrested last week on a charge of false reporting. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Powers and Lance Hering were convicted of attempted burglary and trying to evade police in 2004. They avoided jail time but were given probation.

At least one news report indicated that a rock at the place where Lance Hering was said to have fallen had a significant amount of blood. On Tuesday, West said about a half-ounce of blood was spread out on the rock, but the exact amount was not scientifically measured.

A preliminary test showed the blood was human. West expected the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to complete a DNA test on the blood in about a week. The sheriff's office has obtained DNA samples for Lance Hering and Powers.

Lance Hering is due back to the Marines at Camp Pendleton in California next week. Lloyd Hering said his son would not have skipped out on his obligation to the Marines.

"At 19, he joined the U.S. Marines at a time of war - it was his own idea," Lloyd Hering said. Though his high scores on military ability tests would have landed him his choice of assignments, he chose to be a rifleman, Lloyd Hering said.

"He did seven months on a combat tour, often under fire," he said.

Lance Hering suffered heat stroke, fever and dehydration resulting in his evacuation to a U.S. military hospital in Germany, his father said. A short time later, "He asked to be returned to his unit" in Iraq. "All of those facts attest to his bravery."

Lloyd Hering said that while "it's perfectly legitimate for a young man back from war to take some time alone, we're concerned and very frightened."

Elynne Hering, Lance's mother, noted that her son has a week to report back to duty, adding that while the Marines are concerned, "They're expecting him to report."

The Herings declined to answer reporters' questions but expressed "our heartfelt thanks" to the hundreds of volunteers who searched.

Lance Hering, 21, is about 6-feet 1-inch tall, weighs about 175 pounds and is very fit, his father said.

Lloyd and Elynne Hering looked into television cameras and said, "Lance, you mean the world to us. We love you and we need you more than you can possibly imagine.

"Please call home."

scanlon@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-442-8729

Ellie