Dr. Sammy Lee, Olympic Gold Medalist
EDITED UPDATE AS OF APRIL 2, 2013: According to the Los Angeles Times’ investigative reporter Robert Lopez @LAJourno, Dr. Lee was found in Pico Rivera in good condition, albeit a little disoriented. His family on is on their way to him. I will continue to blog any other details I find here. For now, latest details here: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sammy-lee-found-in-pico-rivera-20130402,0,6052242.story
and also here:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sammy-lee-found-safe-20130402,0,6345514.story
and here:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=9050535
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(NOTE: The blog below was posted earlier tonight…)
Olympic Gold Medalist, DR. SAMMY LEE, who was the subject of my very first published children’s picture book with Lee & Low Books, has been reported MISSING since 3 PM on Monday April 1, 2013. According to the police, he purchased gas in Mojave at 8:30 AM on Tuesday April 2nd. They determine he may be lost and confused.
Anyone with any information on Olympic Gold medalist Dr. Sammy Lee, missing since yesterday, please call Detective Ellis at (714) 536-5971 or the Huntington Beach Police Department at (714) 960-8811. More info at this link: http://www.hbindependent.com/news/tn-hbi-0404-missing-man-lee-20130402,0,6238470.story
I last wrote about Dr. Lee for a blog last year celebrating the Summer 2012 Olympics and my experience meeting him. You can read that here: http://paulayoo.com/blog/?p=1357
Here is a photo of Dr. Lee, the illustrator of our book, Dom Lee, and I when we met him in 2004. It was an honor and privilege to meet him and to share his inspirational story with children everywhere.
L-R: Illustrator Dom Lee, Dr. Sammy Lee, and Paula Yoo
I will be monitoring the news and will keep everyone posted of any breaking news. You can also follow me on Twitter @paulayoo for more breaking news updates. Please keep Dr. Lee and his family in your thoughts and prayers for his safe return home. Thank you.
NOTE: I will post any live updates on this blog and also on my Twitter feed.
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LIVE UPDATES:
AS OF APRIL 2, 2013 (9 PM): More info: Video surveillance showed Dr. Lee was at the gas station in Mojave when he purchased the gas this morning. His wife is worried because he is on medication (he is diabetic) and may be confused and lost. He was driving a tan, four-door 2011 Mercedes-Benz 300 with “2GOLDS” license plate. Last seen wearing a dark blue velour sweat suit & sandals. Call Huntington Police w/tips at 714-960-8811 Details here: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=9050535
AS OF APRIL 2, 2013 (9:30 PM): Twitter’s @LAJourno tweets Dr. Lee was now reported in Studio City tonight. Police confirm he purchased gas around 5:30 PM there.
AS OF APRIL 2, 2013 (10 PM): Twitter’s @LAJourno tweets Dr. Lee was found in Pico Rivera and his family is on their way to him. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sammy-lee-found-in-pico-rivera-20130402,0,6052242.story
AS OF APRIL 2, 2013 (10:30 PM): LA Times plans to update its live reporting but @LAJourno tweeted “Sammy Lee was slightly disoriented but in good condition when he was found, #LASD says.” A happy ending to a nerve-wracking day. xo P.
AS OF APRIL 2, 2013 (11 PM): According to two-time Olympian @camari2 Cathy Marino (’88 & ’92 sprint kayaking), Dr. Lee is in “good spirits and telling jokes.” 
Now THAT’s the Sammy I know!
FINAL UPDATES: Los Angeles Times final report for tonight: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sammy-lee-found-safe-20130402,0,6345514.story and ABC report here: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=9050535
