This text will be replaced

Meridian woman still missing after campsite disappearance

<p>Rachael Walsh</p>

More Photo Galleries

ELMORE COUNTY -- The search is still on for 48-year-old Rachael Walsh, a Meridian mother and U.S. Postal Service employee who never missed a day of work in 27 years, said her sister.

Karen Fitch, of Boise, said she and other relatives are holding out hope that their loved one is found soon and found safe. Walsh was last seen two weeks ago at her campsite in Falls Creek, about 20 miles from Mountain Home.

Walsh left everything -- her identification, credit cards, asthma medication -- in her 5th wheel at her campsite, located across the lodge where she was last seen at 7 p.m. Saturday Aug. 16.

A neighboring camper heard a car door shut and a car leave the area around midnight. Walsh has not been seen since.

Family members went to the campsite looking for her when she didn't return home on Sunday. They found her door unlocked, the awning down, her chair outside as always and all her belongings inside the camper.

Walsh has lived in Meridian for 35 years and enjoyed bringing family members to the campsite all summer long, but this time she was camping alone, Fitch said.

Elmore County Sheriff Rick Layher said his investigators have scoured all areas of the county. "We're sort of stumped right now. We get a few leads from time to time so we'll teletype another agency but we just haven't found anything yet," he said.

Officials have searched by land and air for signs of Walsh's car -- a 2005 red Dodge Neon with license plates 1AUK314 -- but no vehicle was found.

Fitch said she has even consulted a Boise psychic, who indicated her sister may be lost in the Dillon, Mont., area, her car broken down on a dirt road.

"The psychic seems to think she might find people," like campers or hunters, that will help her, Fitch said.

Fitch and Walsh were born in Alberta, Canada, and Fitch wonders if her sister was trying to return there via Montana.

Layher said he's put information out to other law enforcement agencies along the route to Canada in case that is where Walsh was headed. He urged campers and hunters who may be out in rural areas of northern Idaho to be on the lookout for Walsh or her car.

Meanwhile, search and rescue teams in Elmore County are continuing their efforts. "We're not giving up the fact that somehow she got missed. This is a big weekend with a lot of people out. Hunting season is coming. If we missed her on a side road we're hoping someone will come across her here," the sheriff said.

Fitch said her sister, who is quiet and keeps to herself, was going through a hard time. She may have been drinking and drove off, Fitch said, ending up hopelessly lost.

Walsh was recently widowed in October. "She missed him and was probably depressed since her husband died," Fitch said. Walsh was also dealing with family problems as well as a recent DUI charge.

Walsh missed court and now has a probation violation and a failure to appear. "I'm hoping if we find her alive, we can get her some help. I know it's not normal for her to run," Fitch said.

Walsh has four children, the youngest a 17-year-old daughter.

"We have gone up to Falls Creek several days, put out fliers, asked questions. People are aware up there but we need more people going to that area to look for the car and Rachael," Fitch said.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Rachael Walsh should call Elmore County sheriff's dispatch at (208) 587-2100.

Comments:



If you Log in or Register you will not be required to fill this out each time you comment.
Name:
Email Address: Will not be published.
Comment [max. 5000 chars.] Character Count:

Community Calendar

<< >>
SMTWTFS
 010203040506
07080910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28            
Submit your event - FREE!

In today's print edition:

  • Nampa man receives 80-month sentence on meth, firearm charges
  • Caldwell School District rewarded for energy efficiency
  • BBB: Be wary of door-to-door magazine sales
  • Caldwell students cut hair for causes

IPT Sponsored Blogs

View a list of all our blogs

«From the editor» Concerns about Tom Luna's $52.8 million 'Land Board' funding idea should be carefully examined
«2C etc.» A good read on Haiti aid efforts before quake
«Canyon County college sports» Rendahl's effort worthy of another mention
«Dave's Blog» Vandals rout Broncos at Taco Bell Arena
«Canyon County college sports» Just a thought ... (Feb. 5)
«High School Sports Blog» More on Columbia-Nampa wrestling match
«Dave's Blog» Moore, Avery to be honored in Ohio
«High School Sports Blog» More on Blakley's big victory
«High School Sports Blog» State high school basketball polls
«Business To Business» Learn about different types of home loans
«2C etc.» Now I see why athletes retire at 40
«From the editor» Congratulations to treasuredvalley.com, Chris Oates on new partnership with Behind the Menu
«DIY Diva» My first trip to Hobby Lobby with photos
«From the editor» Will you share your family history story for Press-Tribune's annual Cavalcade Web component?
«Canyon County college sports» Just a thought ... (Jan. 29)


Community Partner Blogs

View a list of all our blogs

«For the Record» 200 Million Boxes of Thin Mints
«Coupon Kori» Next Class on February 18
«Don't Get Me Started» An old school look at prison behavior
«For the Record» Jell-O Capital of the World
«Coupon Kori» Three Inserts this Week
«Nampa Chamber News» Are You at the 4th Level of Change!
«Give Me Liberty» Why I'm Not an Environmentalist
«For the Record» Cocoa for Cash
«Coupon Kori» Make It a Good, Inexpensive Morning
«For the Record» Satan's Stature
«Coupon Kori» Free $10 Savings Booklet
«Don't Get Me Started» Haiti, a different perspective on US giving
«For the Record» Depressed Hamsters
«Coupon Kori» Deals at Ridley's this week
«Give Me Liberty» Ward Campaign Plays Tired Political Card