Family of missing Seattle hiker seeks community support after 3-month search

An endangered 21-year-old man from Seattle has been missing since May, and his family is asking the local community for support in the search.

Jakhobi Hale was last seen on May 16 near Gold Hill, traveling east of Darrington, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. He left his grandparents’ house in Darrington at 10 a.m. to go hiking, but never returned.

Hale’s mother, Autumn, has personally searched the area for the past three months. Now, she has created a GoFundMe to help cover expenses as she continues to look for her son.

“For more than three months, I have been coordinating search efforts after the search-and-rescue team left on day 7,” Autumn wrote on GoFundMe. “Law enforcement, family members, volunteers, hunters, hikers, and members of our community have helped search the rugged mountains/ forests and canvassed the surrounding area in Darrington, but Jakhobi is still missing.”

Hale is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 195 pounds, with brown hair worn in dreadlocks. He was last known to be wearing an olive/forest-green Helly Hansen rain jacket, gray pants, and black Harley-Davidson boots.

“My goal is for funds to support the continued effort to locate Jakhobi, including legitimate search-related expenses, public outreach, and coordination with appropriate authorities to support ongoing search efforts,” Autumn continued. “I want to be completely transparent with everyone who contributes. Donations will be accounted for, and updates will be provided regarding how funds are being used.”

You can visit the GoFundMe here.

Additionally, Hale has ties to Jacksonville, Florida, Los Angeles, California, and Bonham and Denison, Texas.

75 volunteers search for Jakhobi Hale

Seventy-five volunteers searched the area since Hale’s disappearance, but the sheriff’s office said there has been no sign of Hale.

Hale has limited outdoor experience and reportedly left with a machete, a rain jacket, and a flashlight.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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