News Release No. 15-2002
November 14, 2002
San Juan County Officials Look for Links between Body and Boating Accident
Today, San Juan County Sheriff William G. Cumming announced that his office was looking into whether the man found in Rosario Strait Wednesday was the owner of a Bayfield 25 foot sail boat found aground on the northeast shore of Orcas Island. The boat, named Wind Lass, was found abandoned on the beach October 30, 2002. The boat’s owner was last seen October 25, 2002, when the boat was moored about one and one-half miles north east of Pt. Lawrence, in an area with little moorage protection.
On Wednesday November 13, 2002, a passenger aboard the Washington State Ferry Sealth saw a man in the water near Peavine Pass, north of Blakely Island. Peavine Pass is about three miles south of where the Wind Lass was found aground. The ferry crew recovered the body and the ferry continued to its destination in Friday Harbor. An autopsy was conducted on Thursday November 13. "The autopsy indicated the probable cause of death is drowning," said San Juan County Coroner Randall K. Gaylord.
No identification was found with the body. The man is approximately 50 years old, 5’9" and weighs 115 lbs. He has coal black hair and a black and grey speckled beard about one to two inches in length. The muscles of the left leg showed atrophy. The man was wearing dark blue sweat pants marked in large print with the word "SWEATS."
With the assistance of Canadian authorities, the Sheriff is contacting relatives of the owner of the Wind Lass to determine if they can locate medical or dental records that would lead to a positive identification. "Until we make identification, we remain interested in hearing from anyone who knows of a person who fits this description or has knowledge of the owner of the Wind Lass," said Sheriff Cumming. For further information, please call Sheriff William G. Cumming at 360-378-4151.
Randall K. Gaylord
San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney
350 Court Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 760
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360)378-4101