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Natalie Garza Still Waiting For Answers Concerning Her Missing Son

photo by Dale Piper Natalie Garza speaks at a press conference last week.

photo by Mike Cameron LtoR Members of the Saranac Lake N.Y. Fire Department Technical Rescue Team (S.F.D.T.R.T.) ride rapids as they are hauled towards a large pile of flotsam near the falls by members of the Middlebury Fire Departments Technical Search and Rescue team. Saranac team members were using an underwater camera mounted on a long probe to search for Nicholas Garza or any evidence that could relate to his disappearance. The search was conducted over a two day period of time on Wednesday and Thursday, April 9th & 10th, 2008.

photo by Mike Cameron

photo by Mike Cameron

Tuesday April 15, 2008

By Dale Piper

    It has been just over two months since Nicholas Garza, a 19 year old first year student at Middlebury College, literally disappeared on a 500 yard walk between two college dorms.  It has also been over two months since Natalie Garza, Nick's mother, has been home to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She is staying in Middlebury, at the college, awaiting word of her son's fate, but she has not been idle.  Each day that a search has been mounted she has been out there searching along with them.  She also walks the campus periodically, searching as she goes.

    The exception to this was last Wednesday, when a water search of Otter Creek was begun by the Saranac Technical Rescue Team.  Mrs. Garza just found that to be too painful.  The waiting and not knowing is visibly taking its toll on her and she breaks down very easily while she talks about her son.  “On days of the searches I normally don't give interviews because it's such a hard day for me.  I know that any call I get might be the call that they found him, so I have to keep myself kind of in isolation,“
she explains, although Wednesday's meeting with the press provided some distraction.

    When asked how she is feeling, she responded, “There is just no way to describe it.  I haven't talked to Nick for over 60 days and that's overwhelming.  The fact that I may never see him again is overwhelming too.”  She is, however, grateful that the search of Otter Creek has begun.  Initially, authorities intended to wait until the waters receded after the spring runoff, which would have meant waiting until June at the earliest to begin the water search.  But the group from Saranac became available to begin the search sooner. She said Saranac Technical Rescue's efforts on Wednesday helped buoy her spirits, because the more searches for her son, the better. "I'm thankful they got a hold of the police department and offered to come in sooner rather than later," she said.  Although neither Mrs. Garza nor Tom Hanley, Middlebury's Chief of Police, feel that there is a reason that he would have gone to Otter Creek, it's another necessary step in the process.     

    During her stay here in Middlebury, she has had family with her most of the time to provide support.  In fact, her sister, brother and ex-husband, Nicholas' father, just returned to New Mexico recently, but her sister will be returning in a week.  Also with her is her younger son, 9 year old Damon, who is in school here now.  She described Damon as a very positive, high spirited boy who refuses to entertain thoughts that his brother might be gone.  He fully expects to hear from Nick at any time.  In any case, his being here is very comforting to Natalie.

    When asked whether she felt this vigil was hers alone or if she felt it was on the community's mind as well, she said that she realized that the college community, the only one she could speak for, is preoccupied at this point with other issues, “The students are occupied with their studies and that's as it should be,” but "I know there are people out there, and people are kind and good, and I need them. I need their help," Natalie Garza said.

    There are definitely ways for the community to help.  If anyone wishes to contribute to a fund for Mrs. Garza's expenses during this time, they can log onto www.nicholasgarza.org and send a contribution. PayPal contributions are also possible.

    For those who will be participating in Green Up Day on May 3, she asks that everyone keep an eye out for items of clothing that Nick was wearing the night he disappeared.  He was wearing blue jeans, size 12 tennis shoes and a red print shirt.

    And, of course, she hopes that anyone who walks on or near the campus be aware during their walk of any sign or clues as to Nicholas' fate. 

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