Authorities have spoken to the mystery man who was seen with UCSB student Liz Hamel shortly before her deadly fall, but aren’t offering any details on what they learned.
The UCSB Police Department interviewed the man after a private investigator and attorney hired by Hamel’s parents came forward and asked the public for help at a press conference this week. At the event, they handed out flyers and showed a photo of a man that Hamel was last seen with at Lao Wang Noodle Bar in Isla Vista.
Authorities have not publicly identified the man or said whether he is a person of interest in the investigation.
“Many people came forward, identifying this person, and the family is so grateful,” said attorney Tyrone Maho. “The family’s investigator, Michael Claytor, then turned over all this information to law enforcement. We understand that UCSB Police have interviewed him and are now working with our District Attorney’s office. We are encouraged to see where this vital piece leads the investigation.”
The UCSB Police Department also issued a statement.
“An individual who was identified in relation to the incident at our residence hall has been located and interviewed,” the statement said. “The investigation is still ongoing, and we cannot discuss any additional details at this time. UCPD is keeping the family informed and is working closely with the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office.”
Hamel died on Feb. 20, after a fall she suffered on Valentine’s Day.
She was at a restaurant with friends and left with a young man around her age at 10:06 p.m. At 10:26 p.m., she was found on the sidewalk below the San Rafael Mountain Cluster residence hall, nearly lifeless. Authorities believe she fell about 30 feet from a breezeway.
She was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and died six days later.
“For over two months, Liz’s parents wanted to know what happened to their daughter and ultimately enlisted a private investigator and an attorney to find out,” Maho said.
Authorities did not release much information after the death and the man remained unidentified. Hamel’s family hoped the man may have more information about what happened.
“The young man that was with her never came forward and for over two months there were no answers as to what took place that night,” Maho said.
After the press conference Wednesday, the man’s photo was widely shared online and on flyers posted around the community.
“This public appeal to the UCSB and Santa Barbara communities was made to help identify the person who was last seen with Liz,” Maho said. “We asked for information about what happened that evening. Fortunately, the response was absolutely amazing.”
Hamel was a freshman at UCSB. She was studying biology and chemistry and wanted to become a scientist.
“She made friends, she joined a sorority, she had her whole life ahead of her,” Maho said. “And her death was truly under mysterious circumstances. The family still has valid questions and concerns about their daughter’s death and they have every right to continue to advocate for their only child.”
Maho said Hamel’s parents are still seeking information from anyone in the community about that evening, as well as anyone who knows the man who was with her, “so we can determine what actually took place that evening.”
Anyone with information can contact Claytor Investigations by calling 805.335.3851. People can be anonymous, they said.
“We will not be satisfied until all the family’s questions have been answered,” Maho said.
