Fred Hutch employee missing; car found near park-and-ride lot

A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center employee disappeared on the way to work Monday morning in Mountlake Terrace.
 
Police call the circumstances suspicious.
 
Cheryl DeBoer was supposed to meet a friend at the Mountlake Terrace Park and Ride lot and carpool to work.
 
Police say she texted her friend around 7 a.m. Monday, saying that she would catch a bus instead.
 
"She never showed up for work. The friend never heard from her again. She's not been home since that time. It's very out of character for Mrs. DeBoer," said Pete Caw, Deputy Chief for Mountlake Terrace Police.
 
Police found her car near the transit center in the 23400 block of 58th Avenue Southwest.
 
On Tuesday, searchers scoured the woods in Veterans Memorial Park, between the transit center and where the car was found.

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Police don't know if she took the trail through the woods to the transit center.

A Fred Hutch laboratory coordinator wrote KIRO 7 News that DeBoer is their coworker.

A Fred Hutch spokesperson wrote to KIRO 7 that DeBoer is a systems analyst/programmer at SCHARP, the Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention.

A statement attributed to Han Nachtrieb, human resources vice president, said, "We join with many in the hope that Cheryl is safely home soon. As a highly valued member of our team, Cheryl has many friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with her family as the search continues."
 
DeBoer is 54, around 5 foot 6 inches, has red curly hair and glasses. She was wearing dark pants and a dark jacket.
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Heidi Froisland or Detective Sgt. Mike Haynes at (425) 670-8260.

Cox Media Group