Reported “dead body” found to be misidentified tree trunks

ARLINGTON — Rumors were flying that a dead body had been found in the Stillaguamish River on the afternoon of March 4, but when Snohomish County Sheriff's Office personnel responded to the call, they were relieved to discover a much less morbid and more mundane explanation.

By Kirk Boxleitner • March 4, 2015 9:41 pm

ARLINGTON — Rumors were flying that a dead body had been found in the Stillaguamish River on the afternoon of March 4, but when Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to the call, they were relieved to discover a much less morbid and more mundane explanation.

“A witness saw tree trunks in the ravine behind the Cascade District Courthouse, by the Stillaguamish River, and mistook them for a dead body,” said Shari Ireton, director of communications for the sheriff’s office. “It took our personnel a while to get down there.”

While Ireton couldn’t confirm when the call had been made, she started receiving inquiries from local news media shortly after 5 p.m.