News Release

Update on Paradise Search Efforts

Date: June 26, 2020
Contact: Patti Wold, 360-569-6701

June 26, 2020, Ashford, WA—Searchers continue to look for Talal Sabbagh in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. This is the fifth day of search operations. Moving forward the search will continue to focus on high probability areas; however, press releases will be suspended until significant information becomes available.

Mount Rainier National Park is not requesting ground search assistance from the public. Dangerous late spring conditions, including widespread unstable snow bridges over creeks exist putting independent searchers at risk. Falling through thin snow bridges is a hazard anywhere streams remain snow-covered and may potentially cause new incidents, in addition to possibly obscuring important clues to Sabbah’s whereabouts. These accidents with independent search parties would divert professional search teams from existing searches. More information on hiking in late season snow can be found here.

Talal Sabbagh, 27-year-old, from Seattle, was reported missing on Monday, June 22. He was last seen in hiking in Paradise on Sunday, June 21, 2020. Rangers located his vehicle in the parking lot at Paradise.

He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt under a black jacket, black shorts, and dark Nike shoes. If you have any information regarding his current location, please call [phone].

The park is coordinating with his family. Seattle, Central, Olympic, and Everett Mountain Rescues, Pierce County Explorers, Volcano Rescue Team, and Mount Rainier National Park have contributed to search efforts.

NPS