By Luisa Loi
La Conner Community News
A Shelter Bay resident who was reported missing Aug. 20 was found dead under the Rainbow Bridge early the next morning.
The man was found on a steep cliff on the Swinomish side of the bridge at about 5:30 a.m., according to Swinomish Police Department Chief Earl Cowan, who did not identify the individual.
The search involved the Swinomish Police Department, Skagit County Fire District 13, Swinomish Fish and Wildlife Enforcement and the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders first searched around the Swinomish Reservation, then contacted the man’s phone carrier Thursday evening to obtain his phone’s location given the potentially life-threatening situation. This allowed the search area to be narrowed down to the Rainbow Bridge area.
Friday morning, while boats searched in the Swinomish Channel and first responders were preparing to launch a drone, the search team called the man’s phone number. Since it was quiet, they were able to hear the ringtone and follow the sound until they discovered the device and the man’s body, Cowan said.
The cause of death had yet to be determined as of Monday, when Cowan spoke with La Conner Community News. An autopsy was performed that same day.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
