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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 07/28/2015 - Members of the Sheriff's Dive Team recovered the body of 8 year old Christine Bethay of Yakima shortly befor 8:00 AM this morning from the Morgan Creek area of Lake Cle Elum.
On 7/27/15 at approximately 5:10 pm the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a missing eight year old female in the area of Lake Cle Elum. Eight year old Christine Bethay was camping with her grandmother, Lorraine Bethay, on the shore of the lake adjacent to where the Morgan Creek drainage enters the lake. Christine was last seen swimming in the lake in a small cove at the mouth of Morgan Creek with other children and adults. It is unknown exactly how long she was out of sight, as some of the children thought they had seen her walk back to the camp area. A water and ground search with Sheriff’s Deputies and Kittitas County Search and Rescue ensued, suspending at midnight. Deputies remained on scene overnight and resumed the search this morning, at 0500, assisted by the Sheriff's Dive Team. Around 7:45 am, Christine's body was recovered approximately 20 feet from shore in about 6 feet of water. The family was notified of her death shortly thereafter. "With respect to the rumors and accusations that have started; The loss of a child touches the deepest emotions in us all and these emotions often manifest with guilt, anger or depression. We can focus on blame, believing that, if we can hold someone accountable it will somehow make sense and lessen the pain. It seldom does. Even with the most vigilante supervision, someone can slip into deeper water and, without a sound or splash, they are gone. This is a tragedy, the kind that will impact family and friends for the rest of their time and our prayers are with them."
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Clayton Myers, Undersheriffclay.myers@co.kittitas.wa.us509-925-8534