Mother of Samantha Sayers not angry at sheriff for suspending search

It’s been an extremely difficult month for Lisa Yax Sayers, whose daughter Samantha went missing on August 1. The search for her has been suspended by Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. Samantha Sayers, 28, went missing during a solo hike on Vesper Peak in the North Cascades.

In a Facebook message, Lisa said that she doesn’t blame anyone for the suspension.

“I’ve had some people who are angry about that and we totally understand. But we don’t want any anger towards them,” Lisa said. “Because if they’re continually searching nonstop for Sam, they can’t help somebody else. They have to look at how much they used their budget on this search, and they had to step back. We understand that.”

RELATED: Search suspended for hiker missing near Vesper Peak

Since August 2, authorities have conducted about 350 hours of air operations, 105 hours of drone operations, 82 hours for the marine unit, 320 hours for the sheriff’s office search and rescue personnel, as well as numerous hours for volunteers.

“We do have at least four witnesses who did say that they saw her on Vesper Peak on August 1,” Courtney O’Keefe of the SCSO told the Ron and Don show. “Our search and rescue teams have followed up on all leads and tips, interviewed all witnesses that have come forward, and really checked and double-checked all the possible routes that Sam could have taken.”

For Lisa, the support from the community has been overwhelming, as thousands helped spread the word and offered to help search. She plans to do everything she can to continue to reach out in an effort to bring her daughter home.

“I want to thank all of you for keeping this story out there,” Lisa said. “Because I’m sure there are people who are tired of hearing about our daughter, and I apologize for that. But I think if you put yourselves in our shoes, you might be doing the same thing that we’re doing.”

Calling off the search was tough decision for sheriff’s office

Authorities will continue to conduct spot checks of the area as snow melts and as weather conditions safely allow. But making the decision to call off the search is tough, says O’Keefe. Each one is made on a case-by-case basis.

“In this case, it’s being suspended just because they’ve really been to every place that they can be with the terrain. They’ve followed up on all leads, tips, and suggestions. They’ve reviewed the footage. They’ve really done everything possible that they can do,” O’Keefe said.

“The sheriff’s office is, of course, very sad that we haven’t been able to find Sam and bring her home, and we really hope that we’re able to continue looking and can find her.”

Sayers’ family and friends vow to continue searching until Samantha is found, though Samantha’s mother still can’t believe this happened. “I pinch myself sometimes hoping that this is really a bad dream,” she said. “Having these discussions with our family, our sons — it’s become our life.”

A Gofundme has been created to help with the search.