However, he became increasingly upset with the logging industry's methods and impacts, and exhibited signs of mental instability.

Early on the morning of January 20, 1997, he swam across the freezing Yakoun River with all of his equipment and made a series of strategic deep cuts in Kiidk'yaas (the Golden Spruce).

He sent a fax to the media and the Haida nation claiming responsibility for the act, saying that he was motivated by "rage and hatred towards university trained professionals and their extremist supporters".

[4] Hadwin stated that he feared for his safety if he were to travel from Prince Rupert to Masset by ferry or plane, and decided to make the trip across the Hecate Strait (a notoriously stormy and violent body of water) alone by kayak.

The next day he was spotted 25 miles (40 km) north of Prince Rupert, but he failed to appear in court as scheduled.