James's wife and children were spoted by volunteered helicopter pilot

John Rachor spotted foot the family http://San%20Francisco%20Chronicle%20report. Rachor reported the location, and the family were picked up by the private helo. You can check wiki again see the new input.

The search were shifted back to the Bear Camp road because of cell phone signal were triangulated.
http://CNET%20%20news%20regarding

I knew James father was rich, but it didn't change the fact that the State police and the national guards put a lot of effort into the search and rescure. It really did say anything to support your claim that the authorities "were ignoring" this case.