Drowning Victim Recovered

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel have recovered the body of a 27 year-old Lake Stevens man who drowned in the North Fork of the Skykomish River on July 19.

The victim’s body was recovered this afternoon from the area near Bear Creek Falls with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Helicopter Rescue Teams.

Snohomish County Search and Rescue teams responded to the initial call that came in to 911 on Sunday, July 19. The area where it was believed the victim had drowned was beneath a waterfall running through a narrow ravine where the water is turbulent and difficult to swim in. After several hours of an unsuccessful rescue mission, the SAR operation shifted to a recovery mission.

SAR personnel actively searched the area the following day, but were unable to recover the victim. Personnel continued to check the area every day since July 20 and the victim was found today by a SAR deputy.

Positive identification of the victim, as well as the cause and manner of death, will be confirmed by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.