Missing Wenatchee man found dead near Lake Wenatchee

Carl Pruitt

LAKE WENATCHEE — A missing man from Wenatchee was found dead near Lake Wenatchee on Aug. 17.

Around 2:15 p.m., Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said deputies were dispatched to a report of a stuck vehicle near the end of White River Road, northwest of the lake. The unoccupied vehicle was registered to 86-year-old Carl Pruitt, who was previously reported missing. Deputies used drone technology to search the area, discovering Pruitt’s body about a third of a mile from his vehicle.

Deputies recovered Pruitt with assistance from Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue and Cascade Medical. Chelan County Chief Deputy Coroner Faye Fetters confirmed the body was Pruitt’s.

The Sheriff’s Office said an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday; detectives do not have reason to believe foul play was involved at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

A Silver Alert for Pruitt had been issued by Washington State Patrol on behalf of the Wenatchee Police Department the day before he was discovered. A Silver Alert is for missing persons aged 60 years or older, similar to an Endangered Missing Persons Advisory.