Michael Loucks: Blog

Jeremiah was found by hikers who saw his backpack caught in/amongst some trees. He had apparently slipped and fallen into a ravine sometime on Friday, May 4th. Based on the initial reports from the Sheriff's Department, the fall was immediately fatal.

We're grateful for the US Navy sailors from the USS Nimitz, Navy SAR (Whidbey Island), the Sheriff's department, and all the volunteers, all of whom gave their time to search for him

I also want to thank all of you for your prayers, positive thoughts, and condolences. I haven't been able to respond to all of them, but please know I've read each and every one of them.

About an hour ago, my eldest son called to tell us that what we feared most had come to pass. Thank you all for your steadfast prayers and positive thoughts. You've provided strength through this ordeal, and I'll never forget it.

We only have the barest details, and until I have a clearer picture, I'll simply leave it at this...

Jeremiah, we love you. Fair winds and following seas.

Latest update:

Again, the update is there is no real update. The searchers were out all night and all day, using thermal imaging gear both from the ground and from helicopters supplied by Naval Station Widby's SAR. The likely places he might have gone have been covered at least three times, and some four. The less likely places at least once. There are a few places which are difficult to access which will be searched tomorrow.

To add some positives - there is plenty of water in the area, which means he has a source of drinking water. The park has been plastered with his picture and there will be on thousands of civilians in the park tomorrow and Sunday, in addition to smaller search teams. Local media has run his picture continually and his cell phone has a trap on it in case it's turned on.

There were no signs or evidence of any foul play, nor any suspicious activity by any of his friends, fellow sailors, or anyone else the Sheriff's department or the Navy spoke to.

The Navy, Sheriff's Department, and Park Service are meeting in the morning to review all the search maps to see if anything has been missed (beyond the aforementioned difficult to access areas). After that, they'll determine their next course of action. Commander, USS Nimitz, is meeting with his command staff to determine their course of action.

The update is, alas, there is no update. The search continues.

The Navy is sending even more personnel into Olympic National Forest. The commander of the USS Nimitz has mustered every hiking-qualified sailor to add to the search teams, including sending specially trained search and rescue personnel with thermal imaging systems. The Base Commander has offered as many personnel and as much equipment as as necessary.

Your continued prayers, thoughts, and support is greatly appreciated. I received so many messages of support that responding to them is simply not possible. My heartfelt thanks to all of you.

I will keep you updated.

The last few days have been difficult. On Monday, a Navy Chief on the USS Nimitz called to say our son, Jeremiah, a Petty Office 2nd Class, and Nuclear Electrician on the Nimitz, had not shown up for work in the yard at Bremerton. As I'm sure you all can guess, this was so odd that they immediately started checking on him. After a few hours, it became clear he hadn't returned from a hike in Olympic National Park. The Navy notified the Kitsap County Sheriff and the Park Rangers, and began a search.

Men and women from the Nimitz found his car near Lower Greywolf Trailhead in the Buckhorn Wilderness south of Sequim, Washington. Jeremiah is an avid hiker and well-versed in the outdoors, so him being there was not out of the ordinary. There is an extensive search underway, and two of Jeremiah's brothers dropped everything and are in Washington helping with the search. My wife and I are together, at home, waiting for word.

If you're the praying type, we'd appreciate your prayers.

Here is a video news report from last night about the search: Kiro-7 News

Here is report from the Kitsap Sun newspaper: Kitsap Sun