Stanford professor who didn’t return from 40-mile hike ahead of domestic violence court hearing

A Stanford University professor who faces charges for allegedly slamming his girlfriend’s door missed the hearing and has not been seen since a walking tour of Washington state began Monday.

Hunter Fraser, 44, undertook the 40-mile hike in Olympic National Park earlier in the week and was scheduled to finish it and return to Seattle on Wednesday.

His court date in Santa Clara County, California was scheduled for Friday, with Fraser charged with assaulting a spouse.

Around 6 p.m. local time Wednesday, park rangers told the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office that Fraser was long overdue.

His family have not heard from him since a text message on Tuesday morning and have not been seen by anyone since Monday afternoon.

Hunter Fraser, 44, who faces charges over allegedly slamming his girlfriend’s door, missed the hearing and has not been seen since a hiking tour in Washington state began Monday

His car was found in a parking lot inside the parking lot. County rescue teams have yet to locate him.

The professor was described in a sheriff’s office statement as “an extremely experienced solo hiker” and is said to have been scouting for supplies, having brought a backpack and a tent.

“Hunter is a seasoned outdoorsman and well equipped,” said Stanford spokeswoman Joy Leighton Mercury News. “We hope for his safe return.”

Fraser’s sister Whitney posted updates Facebook On Friday, she said four to five teams of search dogs were at the scene and a rescue helicopter was trying to find her brother.

She adds that rescue workers will continue the search through Saturday.

His criminal case dates back to July 4, 2022, when he got into an argument with his five-and-a-half-year-old girlfriend while playing a game with his young daughter at their Stanford home.

Fraser is accused of slamming a door on his girlfriend, banging her chest with the handle. She also claims Fraser threw her to the ground before hitting her with the door.

Fraser was arrested shortly thereafter, jailed, and charged with a misdemeanor. Prosecutors later reclassified the case as a criminal offense.

Fraser undertook the 40-mile hike in Olympic National Park earlier in the week and was scheduled to finish it and return to Seattle on Wednesday

His court date in Santa Clara County, California was scheduled for Friday, with Fraser charged with assaulting a spouse at their California home

The victim suffered broken ribs as a result of the incident The Stanford Daily.

After an initial hearing, the professor addressed the allegations in an email to his lab.

“While the case is pending, I cannot go into specifics here, but I want you to know that the allegations against me are untrue,” he wrote.

“At no point in my career or personal life has anyone ever made such an allegation or allegation against me. It was all incredibly upsetting.’

“In our current cultural moment, I realize that my words may provoke skepticism, but they are the truth,” he added, urging people to “let the process fully complete before coming to any conclusions.”

Fraser’s family have not heard from him since a text message Tuesday morning and have not been seen by anyone since Monday afternoon

Fraser’s criminal case dates back to July 4, 2022, when he got into an argument with his five-and-a-half-year-old girlfriend while playing a game with his young daughter at their Stanford home

Several student groups at the time were calling for Fraser to be removed from campus, though he remained at work, with officials explaining this as a “personal matter,” according to one post created by an applicant that Fraser will be sent away.

The petition also released three charges of vandalism and trespassing against Fraser in 2022.

Fraser teaches biology at Stanford and directs the Fraser Laboratory and Bio-X, Stanford’s interdisciplinary life sciences institute; the Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health; the Stanford Cancer Institute; and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.

According to the sheriff’s office, Fraser is 6 feet 4 inches tall with a slim build and usually wears glasses.