Missing Montesano family grateful after being found
Published 1:30 am Thursday, November 17, 2016
Associated Press
MONTESANO — Authorities in Washington state are crediting a hunter with finding four members of a family missing since Tuesday.
The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office said that thanks to heavy media coverage, the hunter immediately recognized Jason and Melissa McAlister and their two youngest children when he saw them walking along a remote logging road in Mason County, southwest of Seattle.
Jason McAlister said he’s grateful for the effort put in by searchers after the family’s van became stuck on a remote logging road. He told reporters Thursday the family tried to walk out to get help after the van got stuck on Tuesday afternoon, but darkness fell and as temperatures fell into the 30s, they spent the night on the side of the road in a shelter he built with fir boughs leaned against a rock face. Early Wednesday they walked back to the van, warmed up with the heater, listened to the radio and watched DVDs.
He said they headed out again Thursday, and that’s when they were spotted by hunters who drove them to get help.
Authorities earlier said the family had spent both nights in their van.
Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate said the McAlisters brought their 8-month-old and 2-year-old out for a drive while the couple’s two older children were at school Tuesday. They tried to drive around a downed tree on a logging road but got stuck.
Investigators on Tuesday evening and Wednesday searched areas the family was known to frequent, without luck, and Shumate said authorities were hoping they had just broken down somewhere.
They had plenty of fuel in their van and some water. They’re in good condition.
The family’s home is in a rural area southwest of Seattle, about 20 miles north of the town of Montesano. They were reported missing Tuesday evening after no one showed up to meet the school bus bringing the older children, ages 5 and 7, home, Shumate said.
The family’s landlord, who also lives at the property, told authorities that he had spoken with Jason McAlister, 33, before leaving the house at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Shumate said. McAlister reportedly told him that the family planned to do some chores, then maybe go out for a drive and come back by 3 p.m.
At the time of the conversation, Melissa McAlister, 27, was still in bed, Shumate said.
Jason McAlister works as a ranch hand on the property, while Melissa McAlister works at a Walmart store.
