Two days after the body of a woman was found in a culvert near the Snohomish-King county line, search and rescue teams are on their hands and knees searching for evidence connected to her death.
Cheryl DeBour was reported missing last week after she failed to show up at a Mountlake Terrace transit center to carpool to work.
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The 54-year-old texted a friend that she forgot her work badge at home and needed to pick it up before heading to Fred Hutchinson Research Center.
She told the friend that she would take the bus.
When she wasn’t heard from, friends and family, who said her silence was out of character, began distributing “missing” fliers.
Police have not confirmed that the body is that of DeBoer, but the Fred Hutchinson Research Center eleased a statement saying that the body was its missing employee:
"It is with deep regret and sorrow that we've recently had confirmation that Cheryl DeBoer, missing since Feb. 8, has been found. Her remains were located this afternoon near the King/Snohomish border. While more details will be forthcoming from the police, we have let our Fred Hutch teammates know of this news. Cheryl has been in the hearts and minds of her many friends and coworkers, and we are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our condolences go out to her family, her many friends and all those who are grieving," the statement said.
Police said during a Monday news conference that the body found matched the description of DeBoer.
DeBoer's body was found by a group of searchers at Cedar Way and 244th Street Southwest at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
The medical examiner will determine DeBoer's cause of death.
Police asking for help from community to solve death of Cheryl DeBoer @KIRO7Seattle >>https://t.co/wzYpF7B2EX pic.twitter.com/uwAuCcjt8o
— Alison Grande (@AlisonKIRO7) February 15, 2016
Meanwhile, investigators are asking anyone who noticed anything suspicious between 7 a.m. Feb. 8 and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 8 near the park and ride, the library or the area where DeBoer's body was found to contact police.
Investigators say the area is a crime scene and the death is suspicious, but they do not believe residents should be concerned for their safety.
The commander of Snohomish County Search and Rescue said that in the search for evidence on Tuesday, authorities are working in a grid, sifting the creek and crawling under the culvert.
Cox Media Group
