Cody Roman Dial, the 27-year-old son of legendary Alaskan wilderness adventurer Roman Dial, has been missing for several weeks in Costa Rica. Roman is down there now to help with the search, while Peggy, Roman’s wife and Cody’s mother, helps to coordinate things from Anchorage. Details about the progress of the search are limited, as you might expect given the remote location and the limited resources available for the search.
Roman has had a huge influence on me, and I’ve been thinking often of his family since I heard the news several weeks ago. From Colorado, the most I can reasonably do is contribute towards the search fund that has been set up, and hope this story ends well or at least with closure.
If you’d also like to contribute to the search, you can send a check to Margaret Dial at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, PO Box 196613, Anchorage, AK, 99519. All checks must include the memo “Cody Roman Dial Donation Account.”
Andrew,
I’m very sorry to read of the Dial family’s situation. As a parent, there is no greater nightmare. I have family in Monteverde. My brother-in-law is a nature guide at the preserve, and my sister-in-law an executive at Conservation International. If there is any chance any of them could be of help, email me. I realize they are not in the same area as the search, but wanted to reach out regardless. Best, Thom
Any updates on his whereabouts? I work in the region and have notified my network of researchers and ecolodge owners.
Sadly no updates from what I can tell based on Roman’s Facebook page. I assume if there was something to say, it would be shared there.
My heart goes out to the Dial family. I don’t know if we’re related or not, since that is also my maiden name…it’s possible. Either way, I hope he is found safely and I wish you all strength and courage!
I so feel for the Dials. This is any parents nightmare and made that much worse when one must feel rather alone from a government standpoint. Roman Dial is to be commended for showing the true love of a father. I hope that our Senators and Congressman can help him in some way. I looked and saw we don’t even have an Ambassador down there. Our own governmental dysfunction is not helping this search. It is election time – since we can’t go looking for Cody ourselves we can contribute to help find him both financially and by calling our representatives and telling them to help in anyway they can.
Stephen – I’ve been reading bits about the DOD but I don’t have the context to make sense of it. Is it protocol that DOD gets involved in a search for a missing American? And what are the politics between US and CR that have resulted in this search being ignored by DOD?
Andrew: I don’t think it is common protocol for DOD to get involved..I think in this case given the strong relationship with Costa Rica and available assets it was floated as a possibility…
An update. Roman did seek US help.
http://www.adn.com/article/20140906/father-alaskan-missing-costa-rica-fears-foul-play
Are you still taking donations for Cody’s search?
Try this: http://www.gofundme.com/ebhedc