Columbia River boaters find body believed to be of missing girl

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Columbia River boaters find body believed to be of missing girl

Thursday, July 19, 2012

WENATCHEE — Two young men riding personal watercraft on the Columbia River this afternoon found a body believed to be that of Liliana Leon, the 13-year-old girl who disappeared May 28 after jumping off a dock and being swept away by the current.

"It appears to be the body of a teenage girl... The clothing shape and size are consistent with the missing girl," Capt. Kevin Dresker, Wenatchee Police spokesman said.

The personal watercraft riders knew that Leon was missing and decided to cruise near the shoreline to look for her, Dresker said. He didn't immediately know their names.

The body was tangled in tree branches about 10 feet from the Chelan County side of the river about 50 feet north of the Sen. George Sellar Bridge, Dresker said.

The personal watercraft riders reported the find at 2:50 p.m. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office sent a boat to the site with its own deputies, Wenatchee police officers and Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris aboard, Dresker said. A Chelan County PUD security boat also responded to the scene. Wenatchee police and Chelan County Sheriff's deputies aided from the shoreline.

The Leon family was notified and headed to the site to observe the recovery, Dresker said. The recovery was complete around 4 p.m.

An autopsy will be performed to confirm the identify of the body, but Dresker said he didn't yet know when that would happen.

Leon and a young friend were recreating along the river May 28 when they jumped off the dock a the Linden Tree Area of Wenatchee Riverfront Park, about 2 miles upriver from where the body was recovered.

The river was running cold and fast. The girls were swept away. A passerby swam out and managed to rescue the friend, but Leon disappeared into the river. Emergency crews searched, unsuccessfully, for days and then suspended their search. Over the days and weeks, the Leon family continued the search on their own, using a small fishing boat

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office had planned to use its helicopter in the coming weeks to search by air.

Leon is the daughter of Guadalupe and Mariaesther Leon of Wenatchee. The family has a son and another daughter.

Christine Pratt: 665-1173

pratt@wenatcheeworld.com

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bobshane57 10 months ago

I hope this is Lilianna so that her family can lay her to rest and have some peace.

Lupitacano1 10 months ago

I am praying to god this is her we need closer we need to lay her to rest already! It's hard for us her family to have gone almost two months with out anything but I thank the gentlemen that found her. Thank you

luv2learn 10 months ago

I hope and pray this is Lili. This has been such a horrific thing for the family to go through. I know it is the same with all families who suffer the disappearance of a child. If it is our Lili, it will bring closure to a tragic chapter in the lives of her family, friends, and teachers. So many, many people have been so kind to the family; bringing in food, helping with gas money for the boats, caring for the siblings, supporting the parents as much as possible, and just letting them know that this community cares. The family knows and understand just how much time, money, people, and various efforts have been spent in the search for Lili, and are so very grateful. What a loving, compassionate, and wonderful community we live in. Thank you all for being here and contributing so selflessly to this place we call home. <3

joydidit 10 months ago

This is all so heartbreaking for the family and friends of this precious young life and girl. I hope this will bring some sense of closure for those who loved this young lady. My heart goes out to all of you and I will be praying for the emotional, mental, and spiritual healing of all.

pigskinmama 10 months ago

So blessed to know our prayers have been answered and that this baby girl is back home where she belongs. To the strangers that found her, Thank you. Thank you for taking the time and looking for her, you will never know how much this means to her family and this community. May you be blessed.