Potential drowning, missing hiker cloud beautiful week in Chelan

CHELAN - The sun was shining, weather calm and business booming this week with tourists, but overall, it really wasn’t the best week for Chelan. 

First, the Chelan County Marine Patrol responded to a call early Tuesday afternoon about a potential drowning in the middle of the lake across from the Three Fingers. 

The 23-year old identified as Donghoon Lee of South Korea was on summer break from the University of Washington and visiting Chelan with a friends. The group decided to rent a boat and were swimming off the back toward the middle of the lake in approximately 30-40 feet of water when Lee started to experience difficulties in the choppy water. One of Lee’s friends attempted to throw him a personal flotation device, but were unsuccessful before Lee sank beneath the surface. 

Rescue swimmers got in the water shortly after the call, but were unable to locate the 23-year old. Search and rescue efforts continued through Tuesday night before swimmers had to retire because of the cold water. 

The next day, rescue efforts turned to recovery as equipment, including a helicopter, and personnel from Chelan County Sheriffs, Steven’s County and the Douglas County Sheriffs Office worked in conjunction to help find the missing student. Unfortunately, weather conditions forced them to suspend their efforts. 

As of Monday, the search continues as Chelan County Marine Patrol will continue to use under water camera equipment, divers, rescue swimmers and a helicopter in hopes of finding Lee, who is presumed to have drowned. 

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office advises using this as a reminder to stay educated on water safety in order for everyone to have a safe and healthy summer while visiting Chelan County. 

Missing hiker

On Thursday, June 22 at approximately 12:30 p.m, Rivercom dispatch received a report of an overdue person in the Chelan area. The caller advised that her son was camping somewhere in Chelan and they hadn’t heard from him in two days. The caller also advised that the son’s two dogs had been located by another hiker on the north side of the Chelan Butte, but her son was not with them. 

The subject, was identified as 31-year old Johnathan M. Taylor of Mount Vernon, Wash. 

A Chelan County deputy responded to Chelan Butte and located Taylor’s vehicle abandoned at the top of the butte. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate Taylor before a helicopter was called in to assist. 

On Friday morning, search and rescue deputies and volunteers from Chelan County began an extensive ground search and located Taylor at approximately 2:30 p.m. deceased at the bottom of a steep embankment on the south side of Chelan Butte. As of Monday, no announcement has come from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on what caused Taylor to fall. Taylor’s next of kin have been notified. 

Keep with lakechelanmirror.com as updates come out on the recovery of Lee. 

Zach Johnson can be reached at lcmeditor@gmail.com or (509) 682-2213