BRINNON — Search operations for a hiker from Olympia who was reported missing June 1 have slowed to the point of only occasional drone flights around the Ranger Hole trailhead near Brinnon .
Joshua Guerrier, 28, was reported missing after hikers came across a pile of clothes, a tethered dog and a cell phone along the Duckabush River.
Crews from multiple counties conducted searches by helicopter, drone and by foot, but no trace of Guerrier has been found, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Brett Anglin said.
Anglin said drone flights were being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office and Brinnon Fire Department as weather and personnel availability allowed.
Rescuers believe Guerrier entered the Duckabush River, which is swift moving and frigid at this time of year. Authorities previously told Peninsula Daily News the area had been the site of past search and rescue operations.
Family friends have started an online fundraising campaign to raise money for the hiker’s relatives. As of Friday, the funding raising campaign had raised $2,400 of a $5,000 goal on the online fundraising site, Go Fund Me.
“This fundraiser is to provide support to Joshua’s family during this treacherous storm in their life so they can continue their focus on finding him and have peace,” said Christine Ambler, the fundraiser’s organizer, writing online. According to Ambler, the money is being used to pay rent on Guerrier’s Tacoma apartment which is being used by his mother while the search continues.
A friend of Guerrier’s who went looking for him in the area needed to be rescued on June 2, after she attempted to cross the Duckabush River, but was overwhelmed by the currents. Local officials have discouraged independent searches in the area.
JCSO has released a missing person’s notice for Guerrier, who’s described as Black, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds and with a beard.
Anyone with information on Guerrier’s whereabouts is asked to contact Anglin at banglin@co.jefferson.wa.us or 360-344-9762.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsula dailynews.com.
