Detectives seek Sultan man who jumped into Skykomish River to elude police

The family of Brandon Perecz has been distributing this flier in hopes of finding him.

The family of Brandon Perecz has been distributing this flier in hopes of finding him.

SULTAN — A Sultan man has been missing since May 24, when he was last seen jumping into the Skykomish River to get away from police.

The Snohomish County sheriff’s major crimes detectives have opened a missing person investigation, spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

Brandon “Bubba” Perecz, 28, “was last seen by deputies a few feet from the shore of the river, several hundred yards downstream still swimming,” Ireton said. “Perecz has evaded law enforcement at least three times prior to this by swimming out into the river.”

Perecz’ family filed a missing person report May 27. They also have been organizing search parties, and more volunteers are needed, said his fiance, Michaela Anderson. She has been walking along the river every day looking for him, she said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In addition, the sheriff’s helicopter team, search-and-rescue crews and the dive unit all have tried to locate Perecz, Ireton said. The helicopter team flew over the river at least three times in recent weeks, Ireton said.

The family says they were not informed of Perecz’s encounter with the deputy until days after they reported him missing. They also say they are hoping for answers about when exactly police began conducting a thorough search of the river.

Perecz’s third child, a boy, was born the day after he disappeared. Anderson, the baby’s mother, said Perecz had planned to turn himself in after the birth.

“He wanted more than anything to see his son be born,” she said. “He loved music and nature and showing people that. He didn’t want people to grow up like he grew up. He would tell people there’s another life than this.”

Perecz grew up in Marysville, moved to east county as a teen and worked construction, she said. It is extremely out of character for him not to have contact with family or friends, she said. It was her hope that he would resolve his current court cases and work toward getting himself on the right path.

“He wanted a new start,” she said. “He wanted more than his past life.”

Perecz has eight felony convictions going back to 2006. The convictions include multiple offenses involving stolen cars as well as a case of methamphetamine possession.

Perecz also is set to go to trial later this year on a pending burglary charge from 2015, court records show. His next hearing is scheduled for July 1. In that case, he is accused of stealing wallets, checks and credit cards from a home in Snohomish.

Perecz spent time in prison from 2011 to 2012 and again from 2013 to 2015, according to the state Department of Corrections.

He failed to report to his community supervision officer in March, and a warrant was issued.

The afternoon of May 24, Perecz also was wanted in connection with another burglary, Ireton said.

“He rode his bicycle under the bridge at the confluence of the Sultan River and out to the edge of the Skykomish River,” Ireton said. “He took off his helmet, dropped his bicycle, and jumped into the river to evade capture.”

The Skykomish River downstream from Sultan is especially dangerous this season due to a large amount of logs and other debris in the water from a series of winter floods. In addition, the water runs about 50 degrees this time of year, even on hot days.

Nine kayakers were rescued from that part of river in May after mishaps, according to police.

Perecz is described as white with hazel eyes and brown hair. He is about 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a blue Nike sweatshirt, jeans and white tennis shoes. He may have been wearing orange sunglasses, according to a flier being distributed by his family.

Anyone with information is asked to call 425-407-3999.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Julia Zavgorodniy waves at her family after scanning the crowd to find them during Mariner High School’s 2025 commencement on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Dream without limit’: Thousands of Snohomish County seniors graduate

Graduations at the arena conclude this weekend with three Everett high schools on Saturday and Monroe High School on Sunday.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

‘No Kings’ rallies draw thousands to Everett and throughout Snohomish County

Demonstrations were held nationwide to protest what organizers say is overreach by President Donald Trump and his administration.

Marysville is planning a new indoor sports facility, 350 apartments and a sizable hotel east of Ebey Waterfront Park. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New report shifts outlook of $25M Marysville sports complex

A report found a conceptual 100,000-square-foot sports complex may require public investment to pencil out.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County Board of Health looking to fill vacancy

The county is accepting applications until the board seat is filled.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.