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47 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 3, 2004 Mother: Murder victim had made plans for life By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Sam Rath seemed to be on top of the world when he spoke with his mother last week on the telephone. The 23-year-old was considering moving out of an adult foster home in Ashland to get his own apartment, and said he had been spending a great deal of time with a woman who enjoyed his company. "He told me he had met this gal, and that she found him irresistible," said Rath’s mother, Anne Gordon. "I was tickled to hear that. He sounded so happy." The Talent woman’s hopes for her son’s future came to a tragic end Wednesday when she learned Rath had been killed inside an Ashland apartment. The tenant, Leora Seward, phoned police late Tuesday to report an accidental stabbing at her Terra Avenue residence. After finding Rath’s body inside the apartment, Ashland police arrested Seward, 28, on a murder charge. She is now being held without bail in the Jackson County Jail. Advertisement While police will only confirm Rath and Seward were acquainted, both Gordon and Rath’s foster family believe the Ashland woman was the person with whom he had become involved. "The one who made him extremely happy ended up being the one who took him out," Gordon said. "I’m very angry ... but I really feel for the family of this gal." Seward’s sister, Char Seward, said Wednesday her sibling moved to Ashland last summer after spending six months in a state-operated mental hospital in Napa County, Calif. "Our whole family agrees she never should have been released," said Char Seward, adding that her sister has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Gordon believes part of the reason Rath could relate to Leora Seward was because he also suffered from a mental illness. Rath, who grew up near Ruch and played soccer at South Medford High School, was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 21, Gordon said. While the illness prevented him from finishing high school on time, Rath never completely lost touch with reality and aspired to get a job and have a family, she said. "He looked forward to living on his own and enjoying life," she said. "I had hopes for him, but I had no expectations. I was just glad to hear that for the moment, he seemed to be so happy." Rath lived most of the last three years of his life at Tim and Rebecca Smith’s home in Ashland. The couple take care of several young men who, like Rath, are functional despite their mental illness, Tim Smith said. Smith said he dropped Rath off at the Terra Avenue apartments less than two hours before Seward reported the stabbing. He said Rath told him he was going to visit a male friend at the complex. Gordon and Smith both said Rath enjoyed living at the foster home because he was allowed the freedom to visit friends. "He was a really good person — a great kid," Smith said. "We took him in and treated him as part of the family. He was really nice to have around." Dave Potter, who coached Rath when he was a junior on the South Medford soccer team, remembers "Sammy" as a talented player who was mature in the way he handled himself on the field and among teammates. "I put a tremendous amount of confidence in Sammy and became very impressed with him," Potter said. "He was a real good team player, and a likable young man." Potter was shocked to learn about Rath’s death. "Losing a former student or player is something you can never prepare for," he said. Gordon said Rath’s younger half-siblings, Jake and Meghan Thompson, were stunned and angered by the news. "Meghan’s first words were, ‘Who would want to kill Sam?’ " Gordon said. "Jake’s reaction was to be angry." Gordon, a substitute teacher, found out about her son’s death Wednesday morning when a school principal pulled her out of the classroom. "It was a shock, but it was similar to the shock I felt 24 years ago when I found out why my husband didn’t come home from work," she said. Gordon was eight months’ pregnant with Rath when his father died in what she called a "bizarre" traffic accident. He was found dead on the road with his clothes inside out, she said. She believes her first husband suffered from a mental illness, perhaps schizophrenia, that led to his death. A memorial service for Rath has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday at Ruch Community Bible Church. Gordon says she plans to bury her son in Ruch, near a spot where his father was laid to rest less than one month before Rath’s birth. "I’m sure there will be more people at that service than Ruch can handle," Gordon said. "I think Sam touched just about everyone who ever got to know him. He really was a caring, loving, generous and gentle human being." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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