The search for a missing 22-year-old Port Angeles man ended in tragedy Wednesday after authorities recovered his body near the public boat launch at Ediz Hook.
Gunnar Peterson, 22, of Port Angeles, was found dead on the morning of July 1 following an extensive multi-agency search, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Search and rescue teams began combing the Ediz Hook area on June 30 after Peterson’s personal belongings were discovered near his last known location, according to the sheriff’s office.
Between 22 and 25 search personnel participated in the operation, along with a Human Remains Detection Water K9 team.
Authorities said the K9, a Border Collie named Ginnis handled by Snohomish County Search and Rescue volunteer Pam Harding, showed a significant change in behavior near the public boat launch adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard base at the end of Ediz Hook Road.
Because the area was also Peterson’s last known location, search efforts were concentrated there, according to the sheriff’s office.
Later that evening, members of Kitsap County Search and Rescue deployed a remotely operated vehicle to search beneath the public boat launch dock. The underwater search did not locate Peterson.
Clallam County Lead Search and Rescue Coordinator Detective Esther McKellar then requested a dive team to continue the search the following morning.
At about 10 a.m. Wednesday, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Dive Team arrived at Ediz Hook Road and entered the water.
Authorities said the dive team located a deceased individual about 20 minutes after beginning its search.
The U.S. Coast Guard assisted by securing the waterway during the dive operation and recovery effort.
Following the recovery, Port Angeles Police Department detectives, with assistance from Peterson’s family in identifying personal belongings, confirmed the deceased individual was Gunnar Peterson, according to the sheriff’s office.
Search Brought Together Agencies From Across Western Washington
The sheriff’s office highlighted the collaboration among numerous agencies and volunteers during the operation.
Officials noted that one member of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Dive Team had spent the previous day assisting with the ground search as a volunteer with Jefferson County Search and Rescue before helping assemble the dive team that responded Wednesday.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to Peterson’s family and thanked the agencies and volunteers who dedicated “countless hours and specialized resources” to the search effort.
Participating agencies included:
- Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
- Port Angeles Police Department
- Jefferson County Search and Rescue
- Snohomish County Search and Rescue
- Kitsap County Search and Rescue
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Dive Team
- United States Coast Guard
“While this search ended with a heartbreaking outcome, every available resource was utilized in the effort to bring Gunnar home to his family,” the sheriff’s office said.
The circumstances surrounding Peterson’s death were not immediately released.
Additional details about Peterson’s life were not immediately available. Loved ones are invited to share a statement, funeral details, and/or photos by emailing michael@pugetpress.com.
