Account
Oct 17, 2024
Oct 23, 2024
Martin
Charles
89
88
67 inches
69 inches
140 lbs
160 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the fall of 2024, 88-year-old William Charles Martin, known affectionately as "Charlie," left his King County, Washington home. His family was unaware of his departure, and concern grew when they realized he was gone. An air tag in his vehicle initially placed him in the city of Wenatchee. However, before he could be officially reported as a missing person, his location was last tracked to a gas station in Malaga, a community just south of Wenatchee in Chelan County. Surveillance video from the gas station confirmed that it was indeed Charlie at the location on September 24, 2024. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being 5'9" and weighing around 120 pounds, with a frail build. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a white polo shirt, and glasses. The day after his confirmed sighting in Malaga, Charlie's vehicle was discovered abandoned in a remote, mountainous area known as Colockum Pass, situated between Wenatchee and Ellensburg in Kittitas County. The vehicle was found on a rugged dirt road primarily used by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, a testament to the difficult terrain he had navigated. The discovery of his car so far from his last known location and in such an isolated area triggered an extensive and urgent search effort. It is believed that after abandoning his vehicle, Charlie continued on foot into the surrounding wilderness. Multiple law enforcement agencies from at least six different counties, including the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office and Wenatchee Police Department, quickly mobilized to search for the missing man, who reportedly suffers from dementia. Search and rescue teams utilized a variety of resources, including ground crews, K9 units, drones, and off-road vehicles, to scour the vast and challenging landscape of the Colockum area. The search area is a popular spot for hunting, and authorities appealed to hunters to check their game cameras for any signs of Charlie. Despite the massive and prolonged search efforts, no trace of William "Charlie" Martin has been found. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain a painful mystery for his family and the community, as they await any news that might bring him home.
Sep 24, 2024
Malaga
Washington
Chelan County
98828
No
155138
Wenatchee Police Department
Wenatchee
Washington
Chelan County
98801
140 South Mission Street, Washington
5098884200
Local
Law Enforcement
24W18029
2024-09-24
Wenatchee Police Department
3432
Bald
Blue
Blue
06/02/2026
