41.   A family friend told reporters on Wednesday in Squaw Valley, Calif., that there was a letter.

42.   A family friend who was with Sund during his meeting with the FBI confirmed that agents had not reported finding the missing sightseers or their missing rental car.

43.   A family friend, Beverly Martin, said Bettye Dixon was still thinking about the possibility and would not likely reach a decision until early January.

44.   A family friend, John Hussey of Lenox, a marketing consultant, set up focus groups to test consumer response.

45.   A family friend, the commodities broker.

46.   A few years later, his widow married a family friend, William McKee, and kept on propagating trees and filling her house with flowers.

47.   A family friend and early adviser was Antoine Bernheim, the Lazard partner who stood by his side with advice during the struggle with David-Weill.

48.   A family friend and physician who lives near the Marlatts, Clifford H. Turen, said Marlatt had warned his daughters to head home as the skies grew menacing.

49.   A family friend said cancer had been detected in other parts of his body, including his pancreas and bowels.

50.   A family friend said he had had heart problems for some time, The Associated Press reported.