A Life Rooted in Activism and Risk

Born on February 2, 1967, Chris Robert Giauque grew up in the Bay Area and faced significant health challenges early in life, including two open-heart surgeries and a broken back at age 27. Despite these setbacks, he pursued a degree in veterinary medicine at UC Davis, where he became deeply involved in cannabis activism, serving as president of the local NORML chapter. His personal use of cannabis for pain relief and his belief in its medicinal properties fueled his commitment to legalization efforts. Eventually, Chris moved to Humboldt County, California, where he established a significant cannabis cultivation operation during a time when such activities were illegal. 

The Fateful Meeting on Spyrock Road

On August 9, 2003, Chris left his home in Salmon Creek to meet with business associate Ben Lomax near the Iron Peak lookout in Mendocino County. The purpose of the meeting was to collect a substantial sum of money owed to him from a cannabis operation on a property they co-owned at 8500 Simmerly Road in Covelo. Due to his probation status, Chris parked his 1994 blue Toyota pickup at a location known as Government Pond to avoid being seen on the property. Lomax reportedly gave him a ride to and from the site. Chris was last seen around 9:00 PM that evening....Read More