LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — The Chelan County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday identified a hiker who vanished over the edge of a waterfall hole while sliding down Aasgard Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
In a news release, the sheriff's office identified him as 24-year-old Qi He.
"He is a Chinese citizen who was living and working as a student/intern in the Seattle area," the sheriff's office said.
Sheriff Brian Burnett says several people were glissading down the snow Sunday night when He, who was in front, plunged over the edge and into the rushing water below. The water flows back underneath the snow, and there was no sign of him.
A Navy crew searched by air with thermo-imaging, without success. Ground crews searched the waterfall hole but stopped due to hazardous conditions. Crews believe he was swept downstream, the sheriff said. The search has been suspended.
His family released the following statement: "To the caring citizens and the family, friends, and community of our dear friend He Qi: We beg that you be on the look out for any new information and immediately contact us at 615-260-0304 as soon as possible if you do receive any news regarding Qi’s missing status. This bright, ambitious, and adventurous man's disappearance has left a tremendous impact on his friends and family. To know that the whole community is aware of this situation and will take action if needed will greatly console them. It would mean so much to his distressed friends and relatives for any new information. Again, please contact 615-260-0304 or tangc0000@yahoo.com for any news regarding Qi’s disappearance."