The body of a 19-year-old Yelm resident who went missing from a recreational vessel on Lake Washington nearly two weeks ago has been recovered, the Mercer Islan
The body of a 19-year-old Yelm resident who went missing from a recreational vessel on Lake Washington nearly two weeks ago has been recovered, the Mercer Island Police Department said Thursday.
Investigators used location data from the victim’s cellphone to significantly narrow the search area.
Search teams then used side-scan sonar and an underwater remotely operated vehicle to locate the victim in about 150 feet of water, police said.
The body was recovered and transferred to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The 19-year-old was reported missing late July 31 after a vessel carrying him and others departed the log boom area between Seattle and Mercer Island following the Seafair air show and hydroplane races.
According to the preliminary investigation, the man told others on board that he needed to use the restroom while the vessel was underway.
The other occupants realized he was no longer aboard when the vessel reached the east high-rise portion of the Interstate 90 floating bridge and slowed for a restricted speed zone.
They searched for about five minutes before calling 911 at approximately 10:40 p.m., police said.
Mercer Island Police Marine Patrol officers responded and searched the area using forward-looking infrared technology, spotlights and thermal-imaging drones.
The initial search area covered approximately 10 square miles, including waters surrounding the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge.
The nighttime search was suspended at about 12:30 a.m. Aug. 1 because of darkness and operational considerations.
