BRINNON — An autopsy by the Jefferson County coroner has been requested after the body of a state Fish and Wildlife Department employee was found mid-afternoon Wednesday near the shore of the Duckabush River, according to a press release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Mary A. Valentine, 48, of Anacortes was a seasonal scientific technician with the department’s fish program’s science division, according to Fish and Wildlife.
“We are extremely saddened with this loss,” said Kelly Susewind, Fish and Wildlife director.
“Mary was a dedicated employee since 2022 and very committed to our work monitoring salmon and steelhead populations. She was a beloved team member at WDFW. Our hearts are with her family and all who knew and worked with her.”
Valentine was working a smolt trap on Tuesday and did not check in with team members that evening.
She was reported missing Wednesday morning and Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and Fish and Wildlife officers responded, the sheriff’s release said.
Valentine’s dog and vehicle were discovered in the vicinity and further searching led deputies to discover her body near the shore of the river next to the fish trap, according to the sheriff’s release.
Jefferson County Detective Sgt. Brett Anglin wrote in a Thursday morning email that he lacked more information but that a request had been sent to the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to have an autopsy conducted. He did not provide a timeline.
“Mary was recovered from the water by officers and transported by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office led the initial investigation. The case has been referred to the Jefferson County Coroner for further review,” Fish and Wildlife said.
Trapping of downstream migrating juvenile salmon in freshwater is conducted seasonally in watersheds statewide to count smolts migrating out of river systems, as part of monitoring status and trends of salmon and steelhead populations.
Fish and Wildlife has temporarily suspended smolt trap activities at the Duckabush River and several other rivers awaiting results of the investigation, the release said.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
