I live in Carson City, and I've heard nothing about this. Could you tell me more please?
Phewwww...long story, but here goes. He and his wife were living in Carson City with their 3 boys when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer. They fought hard but unfortunately they could not save her. I know Seth had been in recovery from addiction for close to a decade at this point...I believe Stacey was in recovery as well, although I sadly never got the chance to meet her.
Seth tried his best to remain stable for his kids but Stacey was his rock and had really healed him...without her there he relapsed. He and his wife were both part of a Jehovah Witness church in Carson City - we were friends since age 15, when his parents disowned him from the church and kicked him out of the house for "bringing shame" upon the family so it was hard for a lot of his friends to accept that he'd gone back to Jehovah Witness...but if it helped him keep his shit together, so be it.
Anyways after he relapsed he signed temporary custody of the boys over to a church member with the idea that he would get treatment and then reunite with them. He did an 8-week program and got clean and went back to get the boys. Lo and fucking behold she would not relinquish the kids to him despite the certificate from the treatment program and his assurance that she would still be involved in the kids' lives to make sure they were well cared for. After Stacey died he was dirt broke so he went to court without a lawyer to try and get the boys back. She always brought a lawyer and he was just annihilated in court - despite her written agreement the judge sided with her.
From what i understand he just gave up on life at that point and went back to using. He spent several months living on the streets of Reno and the last time anyone had heard from him he had just been jumped and robbed. No suspects were apprehended and we don't know wtf happened after that. He went completely off the grid and has not been heard from by anyone since mid-June.
I am not surprised you haven't heard about it - I am saddened because he is the best sort of person, the kind who looks for the wonderful in everyone and everything. At least that is how I remember him. He is probably not as much that way any more, now that life has brutalized him. But he is a good man, a good friend, he was an amazing father. this is just devastating to everyone that knows him. He was always quick to internalize shame and I *hope* that is what is keeping him away. I hope if enough people call to him, through the internet, and show him how much we love him that he will come back. I am scared that is too late though.