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Mitchell Darlington Missing Person Case

Last seen in Snohomish, Washington on Feb 5, 1983

Victim Details

Apr 18, 2014

Jun 19, 2023

Mitchell

Darlington

60

17

65 inches

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Feb 5, 1983

Snohomish

Washington

Snohomish County

No

23187

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Everett

Washington

Snohomish County

98201

Brad Walvatne

Detective

3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Washington

4253883839

County

Law Enforcement

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/210/Sheriffs-Office

14-6784

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 17, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP24291) and 5 other sources
On a cold winter day, February 5, 1983, a 17-year-old male named Mitchell Leslie Darlington vanished in Snohomish, Washington. That afternoon, around 5:00 p.m., Mitchell was with a group of other teenagers when he made a fateful decision. He dove from a train trestle into the frigid waters of the Snohomish River, near the Maple Street boat launch. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black or white tank top, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. He was last seen swimming in the river, heading toward the north shore.

Witnesses observed Mitchell making his way through the water toward the shore. Described as both a strong swimmer and a daredevil, his actions might not have initially seemed alarming to those who knew him. Reports indicate that before the incident, he had consumed a substantial amount of alcohol while with his friends. Tragically, individuals several blocks away saw him struggle and then disappear beneath the surface of the water just ten feet from the riverbank. Despite his known swimming abilities, he never resurfaced.

In the years leading up to his disappearance, Mitchell had dropped out of high school and was working part-time as a driver for his father's veterinary hospital. Authorities and his family were left with a profound and unanswered loss. Although extensive searches were likely conducted, Mitchell's body was never recovered from the Snohomish River. The official presumption is that he accidentally drowned that day. The case of Mitchell Darlington remains that of a lost individual, a young man who vanished into a river one evening, leaving behind only questions and the enduring pain of his absence.
Last Seen: Feb 5, 1983

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Mitchell Leslie Darlington - The Charley Project
  • missing kids and memorial page SINCE 2014 | Mitchell Leslie ...
  • Mitchell Darlington - International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Mitchell Darlington... - For The Missing: Pacific Northwest - Facebook
  • Darlington, Mitchell 1983 WA - Porchlight International for ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    79%Possible
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP67767
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington
    UP67767 • Found Sep 6, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Cle Elum, Washington - unidentified case UP80608
    John Doe — Cle Elum, Washington
    UP80608 • Found Aug 29, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–23 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 83%73 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Issaquah, Washington - unidentified case UP8582
    John Doe — Issaquah, Washington
    UP8582 • Found Jan 15, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%27 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'5"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11873
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP11873 • Found May 3, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 61%169 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
    Weight 62%130 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Washington - unidentified case UP5697
    John Doe — Washington
    UP5697 • Found Mar 18, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–24 vs 17 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%58 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 36%5'10" vs 5'5"
    Weight 92%155 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone looked into the weather conditions on the day Mitchell went missing? I grew up in the... ...Read More
    10/07/2024
    I came across Mitchell Leslie Darlington’s case recently and was struck by how the weather that day... ...Read More
    09/08/2023
    Has anyone here ever explored the theories around currents in the Snohomish River? I've been digging... ...Read More
    03/13/2023

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