In the autumn of 2016, a sense of unease settled over the waters of Seattle, Washington, with the disappearance of 47-year-old Jerry Middleton. On October 28th, Jerry was last seen on a 14-foot skiff in Shilshole Bay. Not long after he was spotted, the small boat was found adrift and unoccupied in the bay, sparking immediate concern for his welfare.
The discovery of the unmanned skiff triggered an extensive search and rescue operation. Multiple agencies, including the U.S.
Coast Guard, combed the waters of Shilshole Bay and the surrounding areas for any sign of Jerry. The search efforts spanned over 20 hours, a testament to the dedication of the rescue teams. Authorities learned that Jerry had only recently purchased the boat, having it delivered to the marina on the very day he went missing. He had reportedly told the delivery people of his intention to sail from the marina to North Bainbridge Island. Despite the thorough search, which included a review of camera footage from the Shilshole Bay Marina and a shoreline search by Bainbridge Island police, no trace of Jerry was found.
As time stretched on with no sign of Jerry, the official search was eventually suspended. The circumstances of his disappearance, a man last seen on his newly acquired boat which was later found empty, paint a concerning picture. With no further information or leads, the case grew cold, leaving family, friends, and the community with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and perplexing disappearance that, despite immediate and thorough investigation, has yielded no definitive answers, leaving the fate of Jerry Middleton a lingering mystery.Last Seen: Oct 28, 2016
