Remains of Springs filmmaker David Hames found in Haiti

On Monday, searchers in Haiti found what are believed to be the remains of Christian filmmaker David Hames of Colorado Springs.

Melanie Dobson, a friend who has served as a family spokeswoman since Hames went missing in the Jan. 12 earthquake, said that the remains were being flown to Dover, Del., for a forensic examination. Matti Botero, Hames’ publicist, said there was no official confirmation on the identity of the body and that the family was waiting for more information.

Hames, a contract worker for Compassion International, was in the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when the quake struck. Dan Woolley, Hames’ co-worker and roommate in Haiti, was rescued from the hotel’s elevator on Jan. 15 after being trapped in the rubble for 60 hours. Woolley sent word of the discovery of the remains Monday on his Twitter account.

Hames, 40, was one of about 100 people, including 15 Americans, believed to be buried in the wreckage of the hotel. The six-story structure completely collapsed during the quake into a tangle of concrete and steel. U.S. Army Col. Noberto Cintron, who is in charge of recovery efforts at the hotel, said on Friday that it could take six to eight weeks to comb through the rubble.

Hames was in Haiti for a video shoot when the quake struck. He and his wife, Renee, have two sons, ages 3 and 5.

Staff at Compassion International said the agency was trying to confirm the discovery and had no statement on Monday.

Vanguard Church, where Hames is a member, has set up a fund to assist his family, vanguardchurch.org/html/FriendsofDavidHames.html.