Daily Sitka Sentinel

Police Say Search for Sitka Woman Ongoing

    Police and the Sitka Mountain Rescue continue to investigate leads in the whereabouts of a Sitka woman missing since Oct. 14, Police Lt. Barry Allen said today.
    Allen said two officers are working full-time on the case, and other officers are also taking part in the effort to find Lael Grant, the 33-year-old mother of two. Sitka Mountain Rescue is going out every day on small searches, and is working closely with detectives, SMR Director Don Kluting said.
    “We’re taking all tips seriously and we follow up,” he said. “There is nothing left undone, and all possible clues are followed.”
    First search efforts focused on the wooded areas north of town near the place her car had been left. On Wednesday police and SMR searchers went to the other side of Sitka, where they investigated a campsite near Indian River, but found nothing to indicate Grant had been there.
    Her family earlier this week increased the size of the reward from $1,000 to $5,000 to the person who provides information that leads to her location. Family members have been searching since Oct. 14, but are holding off for now due to the ongoing efforts of Sitka Mountain Rescue, a family spokesman said.
    Police and SMR consider this an open case until Grant is found. The search for Grant started after her vehicle was found in the ATV parking lot at the end of the Nelson Logging Road on Oct. 20, but the car was later reported to have been there since Oct. 18.
    Large-scale ground searches were suspended Oct. 24, after Sitka Mountain Rescue spent five days combing the area on and off the road, and following up on other possible areas at both ends of the road system. The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter also participated in the search.
    “We’re certainly still committed to the mission, but the large-scale ground search efforts are still suspended, pending further developments” Kluting said. He described efforts since Oct. 24 as “small-scale searches,” but said a planning effort is under way for a more extensive two-day search Friday and Saturday.
    “We’re putting together an action plan that would clear another area,” Kluting said.
    SMR is working closely with Sitka detectives, and is relying on tips from people who knew Grant, as well as those who believe they saw Grant, in town and on the trail system, Kluting said. Search dogs are being used to follow up on clues.
    Kluting emphasized that no one involved has given up hope of finding Grant.
    “We would like nothing better than to bring Lael home to her family and friends,” Kluting said. “It will always be an open case for us pending further developments until she is found.”
    Family and friends are accepting offers to help defray the costs of the reward, or possibly increase the amount. The family’s contact is Casey, at 738-1134.
    Tips can be called in to detectives at 747-3245, the fire hall at 747-3233, or Kluting at 752-0813.