Editor's note: The video report was published August 6
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office suspended the search for missing hiker Samantha Sayers Thursday.
"We have exhausted all leads and tips. We've interviewed all witnesses who have come forward. We have checked and double checked the possible routes we believe Sam could have taken," the Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook.
Sayers' family and friends vow to keep searching for her until she is found. The 28-year-old woman was last seen on a day hike at Vesper Peak in the North Cascades on August 1.
Her boyfriend, Kevin Dares, talked about the official search coming to an end. "We have known this day was coming and have been making preparations for some time." Kevin Dares continued, "SnoCo and SAR have gone above and beyond in the search for Sam and I will always be indebted to them for their efforts."
Drones recently flew the search perimeter, which Sayers' loved ones hoped would provide new clues. The drone videos have been published to YouTube for volunteers to help comb through.
Dares said private search efforts will not stop.
"We have flown in trackers from across the country, including internationally known tracker Fernando Moreira, and volunteer mountaineering groups are stepping up hard and covering a lot of ground," he said.
Sayers was alone when she went hiking August 1. She is described as an experienced hiker who had climbed the peak before.
The sheriff's office has said another hiker saw her at lunchtime the day of her hike at the 6,220-foot summit, and that she had walked to the south, rather than east back to her car.
The sheriff's office said multiple search and rescue teams and other agencies have searched on foot, by air, boat, and drones since August 2. Search and Rescue Sgt. John Adams said leads and tips have been exhausted.
