WA WA - Jonathan Camacho, 12, Deception Pass State Park, 7 June 2000

NCMEC
Charley Project

12-year-old boy disappears near Deception Pass Bridge
Thursday, June 8, 2000

Rescue workers searched Deception Pass State Park last night for a 12-year-old boy who disappeared yesterday afternoon.

Jonathan Camacho, who is visiting from Utah with his family, was last seen about 3 p.m., on the south side of the park, said Jan Smith, chief deputy of the Island County Sheriff's Office.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000608&slug=4025557


Search for boy narrowed
Friday, June 9, 2000

The recovery yesterday of a small trinket belonging to a 12-year-old Utah boy missing in Deception Pass State Park since Wednesday has focused search efforts on a steep hillside above Puget Sound.

Nearly 100 searchers, including 15 search-dog teams, were looking for Jonathan Camacho of Draper, Utah, who became separated from his family during a hike, said Jan Smith, spokeswoman for the Island County Sheriff's Office.

Island County officials reported increasing concern that Jonathan fell in the hilly park and landed in a crevice or in the water, Island County officials said.

The small trinket that family members confirmed belonged to the boy was found about 40 yards from the visitors' parking area south of Deception Pass Bridge, which links Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. Officials said search dogs kept returning to the area, indicating Jonathan likely had been there.

Officials did not describe the trinket.

Smith said the trail in that location is steep and is bordered by a sheer 80-foot cliff above Deception Pass, with no beach below.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000609&slug=4025707

Land search for boy suspended
Saturday, June 9, 2000

The search on land for Jonathan Camacho, the 12-year-old Utah boy who disappeared at Deception Pass state park Wednesday, has been suspended with authorities concluding the boy apparently fell from a sheer cliff into the water.

A search of the water, however, will continue through the weekend, Island County officials said.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000610&slug=4025912


Authorities watch shoreline for boy's body
Wednesday, June 14, 2000

With the suspension of the search for a boy who apparently fell down a cliff at Deception Pass last week, Island County authorities now are keeping an eye on the shoreline and area beaches for traces of the body of Jonathan Camacho, 12, of Draper, Utah.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000614&slug=4026592

CAMACHO, JOHNATHAN
Agency: Island Co. S.O. (Island County)
Sex: M Height: 5' 3" Weight: 87 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown

Last seen: 6/7/2000 Age then: 13 Age now: 19
Hiker missing in Deception Pass State Park, believed to have fallen over embankment, possibly into water.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/missing/miss...County&x=13&y=8

Jonathan has now been missing for 10 years.

Now missing 11 years.

Bump. Missing 12 years today.

Bumping for Jonathan. 13 years.

Thinking of Jonathan. Visited Deception Pass today.

Bump

Missing Person / NamUs #MP5914

Jonathan Alexander Camacho, Male, Hispanic / Latino



Date of Last Contact - June 7, 2000
Missing From - Oak Harbor, Washington
Missing Age - 12 Years
Current Age - 31 Years

Demographics

First Name - Jonathan
Middle Name - Alexander
Last Name - Camacho
Sex - Male
Height - 5' 3" (63 Inches)
Weight - 87 lbs
Race / Ethnicity - Hispanic / Latino

Last Known Location

Location - Oak Harbor, Washington
County - Island County

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Jonathan was last seen on June 7, 2000 at Deception Pass State Park. Jonathan and his family were visiting the area.

Clothing:

Jeans, tee shirt and a short sleeved blue and white checkered shirt

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Obituary: Jonathan Alexander Camacho

On the 7th of June, our beloved son, brother, nephew and friend, Jonathan Camacho was called home to his Father in Heaven.

Jonathan and his twin brother, Jason, were born on August 1, 1987 to Byron and Patrea Camacho and grew up with his older brothers, Christopher and Jared, in Sandy and moved to Draper in 1992. Jonathan was active in his Deacons Quorum and Scout Troop. He loved to play soccer and basketball and was learning to play the Viola. He enjoyed traveling with his family and was on vacation in Washington when he died in an accident.

It's hard to realize that Jonathan has completed his life's mission at such a young and tender age. We will miss his sweet spirit and his smile. It confirms how fragile life really is. We will look forward to being reunited with him at the resurrection.

He has a twin...



Jonathan's identical twin brother, circa 2000 (Photos of Jonathan are unavailable); Right: Age-progression to age 21 (circa 2008)

Details of Disappearance

Jonathan was hiking with his family at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island, Washington on June 7, 2000. He apparently became separated from the group while walking along the main beach trail at the south end of the park at approximately 3:00 p.m. He was last seen near an 80-foot cliff that overlooks the water at Deception Pass State Park.

Searchers discovered one of Jonathan's personal possessions near the cliff three days after he vanished, as well as disturbed earth and vegetation. Authorities believe he fell from the cliff into the ocean below. His family accepted this explanation, published his obituary and held a memorial service for him.

Jonathan lived with his parents, twin brother and two older brothers in Draper, Utah in 2000; his family was on vacation in Washington at the time of his disappearance. He enjoyed soccer and basketball and was learning to play the viola, and he was active in the Boy Scouts and in his family's church. His body has never been found.


Jonathan Alexander Camacho – The Charley Project

Does anyone else find it strange that the family had to use a photo of Jonathan's twin brother?

No family photos? School yearbook? Nothing?

That pulled my mind into suspicious territory. Could the 'trinket' by the cliff have been staged?