CLALLAM BAY — Search-and-rescue crews, scent dogs and a drone failed this week to discover what happened to Matthew Warren Dean.
The Makah tribal member’s snowbound white 2007 Toyota Camry was discovered Jan. 15 in a shallow ditch on state Highway 112 southeast of Clallam Bay.
Footprints embedded in 18 inches of snow led away from the vehicle, heading toward Neah Bay, authorities said.
Family members said Dean had not been seen since the morning of Jan. 14.
Brian King, Clallam County chief criminal deputy, said Friday the intent of the renewed search on Wednesday was to sweep an area near Dean’s vehicle.
“There’s no new evidence to identify his current whereabouts,” King said, adding further searches are not planned.
The case remains in the same status as it was a month ago, he said.
“We continue to evaluate the information we have and to think of other possibilities or things we can employ that may reveal something.”
About 15 search-and-rescue personnel from the Clallam County, Kitsap and Grays Harbor sheriff’s departments searched from about 9:30 a.m. to nightfall Wednesday.
Four scent-dog teams covered the terrain while a drone flew overhead.
Dean, about 5-feet, 10-inches tall and 155 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing black sneakers and black or gray sweatpants.
Anyone with information on Dean’s whereabouts should call 360-452-4545.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
