Archive: Weekly Update (8/25/24)
- Michaela Schwartz
- May 1
- 3 min read
Hi everyone,
As we approach the 6 week mark since Emily’s disappearance, we’re still in a forward moving investigation, yet it feels like a holding pattern due to no new evidence. Last week, we met Gene and Sandy Ralston and their colleague Cory who are best of the best experts in side-scanning and deep water SONAR.
As with quite a few others, they drove several hours from out of state to assist in the water search. We are so grateful for this technology and the experts who know how to use it! As someone on the search team shared last week, “it is like finding a needle in a haystack without knowing where the haystack is.”
This team of three, aided by members of FCSAR and additional search volunteers, spent several days hard at work on the water with their boats and tow-fish. Side-scanning SONAR technology is pretty incredible, but it moves slowly (2 miles per hour), requiring not only technical expertise but patience and diligence.
The SONAR team faced a number of unexpected challenges, including a cable snag and mechanical issues with the boat’s motor. Not to be deterred, the team managed to untangle the cable on their own without requiring additional support, which I’m told was quite a feat.
As many of you know, this reservoir is incredibly challenging to navigate with widely varying depths. The photo here is from the early construction of the Hungry Horse dam in the late 1940s. It helps to illustrate the depth and topography of the reservoir.
Despite the lack of findings in this most recent SONAR search, Emily’s family and the extended search team continue to pursue all possible avenues.
Please understand that if we do not post an update for several days, that is simply because there are no updates to share. As you may imagine, this is incredibly difficult for Emily’s family and friends.
As a reminder, this page is run by one person (hi, I’m Michaela, and Emily has been my best friend since the day we met in 2009). I am truly doing my best to navigate and balance the immense weight of this traumatic experience, a career, and the regular responsibilities of daily life. If I don’t answer your comment or question, or I forget to check in, please be patient with me. Thank you.
Here’s a weekly round-up of all the ways you can get involved in the search efforts:
#1. DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT: We continue to face expenses (both planned and unexpected) as the search continues on. There are a numbers of ways you can donate to support the search.
-Venmo (@Find-Emily-Rea)
-Direct donation at any Stockman Bank location (mention the Find Emily Rea Fund)
#2. FLYER DISTRIBUTION: We are still posting flyers!
-If there is a spot with great visibility and you don’t see a flyer, please post.
-If you see a flyer that is looking like it’s seen better days, please replace it.
-If you want to go above and beyond, snag some plastic sheet protectors and slide the flyer in from the bottom to protect it from future rain
-See our recent post about updated flyer pick-up locations, or download a PDF to print yourself
#3. ENGAGE + SHARE: Help to keep our social media posts circulating and in front of as many eyes as possible. See less
