MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – A 15-year-old woman was found dead inside her vehicle in the Skagit River Saturday afternoon after police received a report of the woman’s vehicle in the water on Friday, according to Det. Sgt. Mike Don with Mount Vernon Police.
Dive teams from the U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector Special Operations, Whatcom and Kitsap County’s Search and Rescue along with UAV(s) from the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search since Friday to search for the woman and her vehicle. Officials were able to locate her and the vehicle around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Don said in a press release.
Mount Vernon Police are continuing the investigation, but do not suspect foul play in the incident. The coroner’s office later identified the woman as Taylor Nicole Bentley, according to a statement from Don on Monday.
Skagit County officials received a 911 call from a woman reporting her car went into the water near the Edgewater Park boat launch around 10 p.m. When police arrived, they saw vehicle taillights in the water.
Mount Vernon fire departments and Skagit County officials searched for the woman for several hours Friday night and continued their search early Saturday morning. Officials used multiple boats and drones during the search.
The search was called off around 1 a.m. Saturday due to safety concerns but later resumed. Officials continued the search late Saturday morning, incorporating sonar equipment into their search.
Crews were unable to recover the vehicle on Saturday due to strong river currents but will be recovered when conditions are safer. Officials stated Monday there are no immediate plans to remove the vehicle at this time.
