05/31/2026
I run a private SAR GROUP going on 5 years now.
In that time We have made 12 finds and rescues on the Colville reservation and surrounding areas.
Searching for missing indigenous and others.
I will continue to do so as long as i can.
On May 30th my friend Damon Brown and I drove from Moses Lake 150 miles to the location of Matt's possible last sighting area.*( near Oroville Wa) and awaited our group of local volunteers Charles R McNeil Ch Danielle Croasmun Sue Brazil Danny L to bring their kyaks , fishing boats , drone and their caring hearts to continue Matt's search.
We sat on the banks of the river analyzing our topography maps and organized a search plan.
We all know this river well and have been swimming these banks since the 1970s, and we are confident we will find him.
At the Driscoll island fishing area
Damon Brown , our drone guy and myself helped the boats and operators into the cold and brown merky log jam and debri infested waters of the Okanogan river.
We discussed safety plans and exit the river plans.
Charles McNeil in his small fishing boat equipped w a small electric motor ( and Jamie as a passenger) and his best friend Danielle Croasmun entered the water first, and we pushed them out through the heavy current on the bank of the river.
Then we helped Sue Brazil and her boat into the water, and watched them all drift southward and out of sight.
We then sat on the butterfly and mosquitoe saturated river bank and endured the heat, awaiting any signs of results.
At exactly 3.26 pm Danielle called us and said
WE GOT HIM!
The call we both wanted and did not want to hear.
Because of the rapid moving of the swift current and them not wanting to lose their beloved friend Matt their adrenaline kicked in they moved Matt into their boat, ( something we'd never do normally)
They then gave me their exit location for me to meet the team and help extract them , their gear and Matt.
Immediately contacted my SAR rep friends and had them contact and report to the Sherrifs , I then contacted and notified Noah Brown and informed him w the news and location.
And we both drove hurriedly to the scene, and awaited for the searchers 20 minutes to arrive.
The Sherrif arrived within 10 minutes to help assist and start documenting the situation.
The first boat to enter were 2 local residents that were assisting our kyakers.
Then Danielle in her blue kyak, followed by Sue on her Kyak and finally Charles w Matt in his small boat barely afloat w the weight and water inside from loading Matt in.
Matt was covered w life jackets and blanket .
We found him.. Thank goodness !
From that point all of us coated ourselves in thick layers of mosquito repellent trying to evade the barrages of aggressive mosquitoes.
Waiting for the coroner and the Sherrifs team leader to arrive and identify the body .
We then all carried the boat w Matt ashore.
