Saturday, June 21, 2014, 9:00 pm -The search for missing hiker Karen Sykes was suspended today with the retrieval of a deceased female from the search area at approximately 3:00 pm. The identification of the victim will be established by the Pierce County Medical Examiner. The victim was discovered off-trail near the eastern branch of Boundary Creek in rough, steep terrain. The area is difficult to access and not commonly traveled.
Seven ground crews and one helicopter were involved in today's search. 110 personnel were assigned over the course of the incident including volunteers and staff from North Cascades, Olympic, and Mount Rainier national parks. Special thanks go out to the organizations that provided highly trained search personnel including the German Shepherd Search and Rescue of Washington State, Kittatas County dog teams, King County Explorers, and Everett, Olympic, Central, and Seattle Mountain Rescues. An MD-530 helicopter from Northwest Helicopters in Olympia, Washington provided air support.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
