Family of woman missing in Carbon River offers reward. Deputies advise of danger
As the recovery mission continues for a woman who fell into the Carbon River in Pierce County on Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office is discouraging members of the public from searching for her on their own.
The family of 28-year-old Zuleika Witron has offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who finds her, dead or alive. The Sheriff’s Office said the Carbon River area, including a 50-foot drop into the river canyon bed, is “extremely dangerous,” according to a Tuesday news release.
Witron fell into the river with her dog after they had been hiking with her girlfriend Sunday morning. Witron went missing after the heavy current swept her away. Her dog was found downstream and returned to Witron’s family, The News Tribune reported. On Monday, the search turned into a recovery mission.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office search-and-rescue crews, drone teams, fire department ropes teams and boat resources along with the Coast Guard have been searching for Witron, the release said.
“The Carbon River is running extremely high due to high temperatures and atmospheric river rainfall from the weekend. The temperature of the river is about 35 degrees since it is glacier fed from Mt Rainer. The Carbon River is made up of extreme rapids, rocks, fallen trees and debris throughout its course. The canyon downstream from the bridge is extremely treacherous and dangerous,” the release said. “The canyon is flanked by high cliffs, thick under brush and trees making the terrain extremely difficult to traverse. Making things more dangerous is a weather system which will bring more rain, wind, and hail to area.”
The release said that the terrain and conditions of the water make the danger significant to the public. The Sheriff’s Office said it does not advise anyone to search directly below the bridge to Carbonado.
“By putting yourself in danger, you are putting our first responders in more unnecessary danger as well. This is a recovery mission and no longer a search and rescue mission,” the release said. “The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office would hate to see more people lose their lives for an attempt to make $10,000.”
