Photo: Jodie Gedeon via AP
David “River Dave” Lidstone lived in a small cabin in a wooded area of New Hampshire for the past three decades, but the 81-year-old man’s longtime home burned down this week after he was placed in jail.
More than 4,600 people signed aChange.orgpetition to express their hopes of finding a mutual solution for the property owner and Lidstone, who they referred to as a “local legend,” but the situation seemed to reach a tragic outcome after the cabin was destroyed in a fire on Wednesday afternoon.
“Words are impossible to speak right now as we have been notified River Dave’s camp has been burnt to the ground,” Jodie Gedeon, an outspoken friend and advocate for Lidstone, wrote onFacebookafter the blaze was discovered. “I just can’t.”
Jodie Gedeon
“An investigation will be done and I truly hope those responsible are held accountable and punished to the highest level for inhumanity, cruelty, arson, putting the animals life in danger and potentially starting a forest fire,” she said. “Not to mention burning the [livelihood] from one man’s heart and soul, our friend River Dave.”
“Please - I ask of you keep the community support going, write to Dave and pray for all of humankind,” she added. “This is unacceptable!”
The Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
A lawyer for Giles did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Lidstone’s brother, 77-year-old Vincent, told the AP that his family held a lifelong passion for the outdoors. Lidstone, he said, was living a life that made him happy.
“What they’re doing to him isn’t right for anybody, whether he’s my brother or anybody’s brother,” he said. “He’s 81 years old. Leave him alone.”
In a recent update toFacebook, Gedeon said his supporters were inviting others to send funds or a kind letter to Lidstone via mail.
source: people.com
