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Two Christian Camp Counselors Found Dead in Their Sleeping Bags on a Calif. Beach
AP ^ | 8/20/2004 | Terence Chea Associated Press Writer

Posted on 8/20/2004, 8:18:18 PM by Red Badger

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Two soon-to-be-married Christian camp counselors reported missing earlier this week were shot to death in their sleeping bags on a remote beach, authorities said. The bodies of Lindsay Cutshall, 23, and Jason Allen, 26, were discovered Wednesday when deputies rescuing a stranded hiker spotted the crime scene from their helicopter.

"They were shot in the head, presumably in their sleep," Sheriff's Lt. Dave Edmonds said. "It appears to be a terrible crime absent of motive, which is a concern to us."

There were no signs of sexual assault or robbery, and the possibility of a murder-suicide was ruled out because no weapon was found, authorities said. The bodies were found fully clothed, side by side in sleeping bags near their belongings, which included a Christian book, wedding literature, camping gear and backpacks, police said.

"From all indications, the victims were very upstanding citizens, they were very honorable people. They had an absolute absence of enemies," Edmonds said.

Police believe the couple arrived last Saturday in the area, about 60 miles north of San Francisco, and apparently were camping overnight on Fish Head Beach in Sonoma County.

Cutshall and Allen were missionaries who were spending the summer as whitewater rafting guides at Rock-N-Water, a Christian adventure camp in Coloma, in the Sierra foothills about 40 miles east of Sacramento. They were supposed to return to the camp Sunday; the were reported missing Monday.

"Jason and Lindsay were two incredible people that loved God, his creations, and loved to share them with youth," camp leaders said in a statement.

Authorities said the bodies appeared to have been on the beach for more than 24 hours. Authorities were performing autopsies Friday.

Cutshall's father has been the pastor of the evangelical Fresno Bible Church in Fresno, Ohio, for nearly 20 years and had planned to preside over their marriage ceremony next month. Cutshall was supposed to return to Fresno Sunday to help prepare for the wedding to Allen, who was from Michigan.

Cutshall's parents released a statement saying, "They are a gift of God that will forever bless our lives."


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: christians; jasonallen; lindsaycutshall; murder
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RIP in heaven together forever.....
1 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:18:18 PM by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

Very sad.

Prayers for the family.


2 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:19:18 PM by harrycarey
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To: Red Badger

How very sad--two good people snuffed out. Very sad indeed.


3 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:20:51 PM by beaversmom (Michael Medved has the Greatest radio show on GOD's Green Earth)
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To: harrycarey

Very sad.

That having been said, California (or Florida, or the northeast) isn't the sort of place where you are safe sleeping on a beach.


4 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:23:04 PM by applemac_g4
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To: Red Badger

Sad, and sickening that someone would do that.


5 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:24:58 PM by RockinRight (Liberalism IS the status quo)
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To: applemac_g4
That having been said, California (or Florida, or the northeast) isn't the sort of place where you are safe sleeping on a beach.

It's very strange that there wasn't anything stolen though.

6 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:25:30 PM by Zeroisanumber
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To: Red Badger

This is about the most senseless crime I can recall. I guess they were killed for fun.


7 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:25:34 PM by Dog Gone
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To: Red Badger

8 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:26:28 PM by Mr. Mojo
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To: Dog Gone

Yep. A crime of oppurtunity. And the perp will most likely never be caught since he/they had no connection to the vicitms other than being in the same place at the same time. Truly sad.


9 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:29:48 PM by Space Wrangler
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To: Space Wrangler

I hope you are wrong. It's sickening to think that the monster that did this is still roaming around free.


10 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:32:35 PM by Godebert
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To: Zeroisanumber

>It's very strange that there wasn't anything stolen though.

There's a lot of gang activity in California. Their deaths may be the result of a gang initiation, or something equally pointless.


11 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:40:07 PM by applemac_g4
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To: Red Badger

Sad story, but something seems fishy:

Two Christian camp counselors, especially a daughter of a Pastor, would be very unlikely to camp alone overnight together before they were married, even if they were engaged. It just doesn't seem like an honorable thing for devout single Christians to do. My question is, was anybody else with them? Not saying that the other person/people did this, but maybe they were kidnapped by the perps?


12 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:42:28 PM by jtminton (Kerry/Edwards 2004: It's Boring in America again!)
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To: jtminton
Two Christian camp counselors, especially a daughter of a Pastor, would be very unlikely to camp alone overnight together before they were married...

Sadly...Christians are not what they used to be...

13 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:46:58 PM by Onelifetogive
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To: Red Badger
How horrible. I hope they catch the monster who murdered them.
14 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:47:09 PM by NRA2BFree (Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce!)
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To: NRA2BFree

There are reasons why God's Word includes imprecatory psalms as model prayers.


15 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:50:07 PM by TomSmedley ((technical writer looking for work!))
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To: jtminton
Two Christian camp counselors, especially a daughter of a Pastor, would be very unlikely to camp alone overnight together before they were married

If she's a pastor's daughter, then it's fair to say that she is more likely to do naughty things.

But I digress....

16 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:52:33 PM by Modernman (Hippies.They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.)
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To: applemac_g4

You can't blame these kids.

There are hundreds of thousands who go camping in California each year without getting murdered.


17 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:54:51 PM by harrycarey
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To: Onelifetogive; jtminton
Two Christian camp counselors, especially a daughter of a Pastor, would be very unlikely to camp alone overnight together before they were married...

Sadly...Christians are not what they used to be...

Neither of you know what they were doing. Is it all about appearances? Are they not allowed to be alone in fear that they might (gasp!) starting have naughty thoughts?

Sheesh..maybe they wanted to actually spend time without worrying about every word they say being overheard by others.

18 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:56:25 PM by Bella_Bru (It's for the children = It takes a village)
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To: jtminton

The news account did say "sleeping bags", not "sleeping bag", so maybe we should not be questioning their behavior in the hours prior to their death. Young people in love like to get away by themselves, and not necessarily for sexual purposes.


19 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:56:49 PM by WayneM (Remember; "Saturday people first. Sunday people next.")
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To: jtminton

They were supposedly meeting with friends. Finding those friends is probably the first thing on the police agenda.


20 posted on 8/20/2004, 8:57:09 PM by cinnathepoet (Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral)
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