Search crews find body near Snoqualmie Pass, believed to be hiker missing since Sunday

UPDATE | 2PM, JULY 2nd

Unfortunately, the King County Sheriff’s Office said late last night that search crews had located a deceased male they believed to be missing hiker Kumar Roa.

According to a KCSO news release, “Around 9 PM on Monday, a male matching the description of Kumar was located 6 miles into the trail and was found deceased.  The incident is still under investigation as rescuers are carrying the victim over 6 miles to remove him from Granite Mountain.” 

KCSO said no foul play is suspected and the actual cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.

ORIGINAL STORY

On Monday, July 1st, King County Search and Rescue crews entered the second day of a search for a missing hiker near Snoqualmie Pass – in the vicinity of Keekwulee Falls.

56-year old Aumaraswami Rao was last seen on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 6:30AM near Keekwulee Falls on the Denny Creek Trail.

According to KCSO Sgt. Ryan Abbott, Rao is from the Seattle area and was expected back at around noon. The King County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting him missing on Sunday around 4PM.

Crews began their search around 6PM. Sgt. Abbott said SAR teams searched until 1AM, but stopped when conditions got too dangerous. He said about 60 crews resumed searching the remote area today around 7AM. They plan to continue the search throughout the night and tomorrow.

According to hiking websites, Keekwulee Falls via Denny Creek Trail is a 3.8 mile, lightly trafficked out and back trail located near with an 1,100 ft. elevation gain.

Aumaraswami Rao is 5’6 and 165lbs. He was wearing all blue clothing, a hat and was carrying a camera with a tripod.

Anyone who may have seen him is asked to call 911.