MISSING TEENS UPDATE: Found Saturday morning

8:52 AM SATURDAY: Just got text and e-mail saying the boys have been found and are OK. No other details.

(original coverage below)

9:51 PM FRIDAY: We have just learned that two 17-year-old West Seattle boys have been missing for two days, and that there are plans for a search party tomorrow in the East King County area where they might be. Here’s the information just sent to us:

Two West Seattle teens missing since Wednesday night:

Tyler Hammond, 17 years old. Senior at Seattle Lutheran High School

White male, 5’8″, 157 lbs, dark brown hair, blue eyes
Clothing: jeans or gray rain pants, gray hoodie, royal blue jacket with hood

Ryan Kimsey, 17 years old, Senior at West Seattle High School

Hispanic/White male, dark black hair, brown eyes, 5’8″, approx. 200 lbs
Clothing: all black clothing

Driving Nissan Maxima 1998, Beige, License plate: AZH2258 (car has not been recovered)

Last time seen or heard from: Wednesday, October 26th at 7 pm

Contact info for general information about the search: missinghammondkimsey@gmail.com

If have any leads, call 911 or National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678.

On Wednesday night (10/26), Tyler Hammond and his friend Ryan Kimsey left West Seattle to go for a trail run around 7 pm in the mountains somewhere in the Issaquah/Snoqualmie area. They were supposed to have returned home by midnight and failed to do so and have not been heard from. It is not typical for these boys to not check in with family or friends. Their parents and friends are very concerned for the safety and well-being of both boys.

A police report was made Thursday morning for both boys and their vehicle. A Missing Persons Report is filed. Several area police departments have done some initial searches in the area and the phone tracking of the teens is showing up in the Issaquah/Renton area (within 30 mile radius).

TOMORROW, OCTOBER 29, 2016: A non-police-sanctioned search party is being organized by some of the members of Tyler’s church family of West Side Presbyterian Church with a lot of support from Seattle Lutheran High School and Hope Lutheran School.

Details of Saturday (10/29) Search Party:

Meeting time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: QFC at 1540 NW Gilman Blvd in Issaquah [map]

Plan: Come prepared for driving and walking, groups of two or more – so someone can look and one can drive, and possibly some hiking through the parks. Squak and Tiger mountains may require a Discover Pass.

Please use the contact email above for any general questions about the missing persons or search process, but use the emergency contact info for any specific sightings or knowledge of the teens’ location.

We asked for the Seattle Police report so that you can use it if calling 911 with information – it’s 16-389449.

6:42 AM SATURDAY: Photo of car now added above.

Jen October 28, 2016 (10:36 pm)

Erin’s mom here. I’ll be there. Blue pickup or White Subaru. I’ll look for your group. We’ll get them back.

Alki Resident October 28, 2016 (11:04 pm)

Kelly I love you and the boys. Ill be there. I cant imagine what each family is going through.

Jenny October 28, 2016 (11:15 pm)

Kelly, I’m so sad to hear this! Of course we will help, this is awful.

Elle Nell October 28, 2016 (11:16 pm)

May the universe protect these children and bring them to the light ✨

Gary Sears October 28, 2016 (11:24 pm)

We live on Cougar Mtn in a subdivision called Licorice Fern. One street has a parking area with trail access and many park there to hike many trails. I will take a look tonight.

Jen October 28, 2016 (11:33 pm)

Thank you!!! Car is actually champagne color. Front end damage, driver’s side mirror is damaged, wrapped in black strapping material and messy glue.
KellyHammond October 29, 2016 (12:10 am)

Thank you so much for looking– that’s exactly the type of area they would be in– they are not on the “beaten path” because we’ve looked at those places already!!

Joyce Brandmire October 28, 2016 (11:39 pm)

I can’t search, but as a parent of SeaLu alumni, I will hit my knees in prayer for these two boys to be found! And pray for Gods protection till they are found.

Gary Sears October 28, 2016 (11:51 pm)

Just drove by the access areas up here on Cougar Mtn. No sign of the car or the young men.

Pops October 29, 2016 (12:08 am)

Praying for the boys, family, and friends.

Jen Sarginson October 29, 2016 (6:18 am)

Do you have a picture of the vehicle?

WSB October 29, 2016 (6:31 am)

One was sent overnight and I’ll be adding it shortly. (Edit – just added.)

R. October 29, 2016 (6:51 am)

Would be helpful to add which I-90 corridor trail heads have been checked out and leverage the Washington Hiking and Climbing group on Facebook — there will probably be many members hiking the corridor today and tomorrow that could modify their plans to go to trail heads not yet checked out. I hope these young men are safe.

Gretchen Waschke October 29, 2016 (7:21 am)

Is it possible that they are as far as Easton? I picked up my daughter at the gas station in Easton last night (Friday October 28, 2016) between 7:25-7:30. As I exited the convenience store I noticed the car & the rear passenger side tire was nearly flat. I walked away for a moment & returned to the drivers side door two young males and car all matching this description (front end damage plus the drivers side damage to the door) at the shell station (on Sparks Road) I will contact police shortly my cell number is two-zero-six nine-three-nine twelve eighty-eight

Valerie & Bob October 29, 2016 (8:32 am)

Praying these boys are found soon and for their safety.

Mark47n October 29, 2016 (8:32 am)

Is the only location description “ mountains somewhere in the Issaquah/Snoqualmie area”? That’s a huge area with numerous trailheads and countless trail miles. Without being able to narrow this down the odds are grim.

I hope it’s the boys in Easton.

Jackson Oehling October 29, 2016 (8:42 am)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_kjsp-5P5KjwLSlnBR2VATsI3lsL1zE91GCRA2A7lvg/edit?usp=sharing

This is Tyler’sSnapchat story from this morning.

Willow October 29, 2016 (8:46 am)

Maybe they went on a road trip or ran away. One kid might have wanted to run away and pressured the other into going. Has the police tried tracking the cell phones?

WSB October 29, 2016 (8:49 am)

We just got a text that said the boys have been found and are safe.

Judy Oehling October 29, 2016 (8:50 am)

Tracy- my son Snapchatted with Tyler this morning saying he was okay. He sent you an email link of their conversation.

Jenessa Hope October 29, 2016 (11:04 am)

Grateful the boys have been found.

watertowerjoey October 29, 2016 (2:14 pm)

Is there more to this story? Feels odd to me – especially now that the story has been all but removed from the news feed?

WSB October 29, 2016 (2:33 pm)

Nothing has been “removed.” Our SOP when people are reported missing, then found, is to make note at the top that they were found, and then jump the earlier info from the home page. Everything we reported last night is after the “read more” button if you want to see it again.

Elle Nell October 29, 2016 (3:02 pm)

First off, wonderful news the boys are safe and sound… Secondly, why are nosey people concerned of the oddity of details in Bizness that is none of theirs. With all due respect- mind your own and be happy u did not have to deal with this worry directly.

JanS October 29, 2016 (4:53 pm)

ElleNell….Hear! Hear!
Alex October 29, 2016 (11:34 pm)

Mind your own business? This is a news site. He was only asking what the rest of the story was. It is indeed customary for news sites to report the conclusion of a story once it becomes available.
- West Seattle since 1979 October 30, 2016 (2:27 am)
  
  Not necessarily, if the people in question don’t want to tell the reporters all the details. And if the details would violate someone’s privacy, why should WSB follow the worst practices of some news sites?
Loy October 30, 2016 (9:49 am)

Excuse me?! We have every right to “wonder” once they disappeared and involved so many people in a mad search scaring us? I think an explanation is in perfect order! Once this was posted public ally and others helped search? It was everyone “business”

Elle Nell October 30, 2016 (2:40 pm)

Loy- no it is none of your Bizness. This is a community blog as well, and as for this community we respect each other. That means the respect for ones privacy. We had 2 children from OUR community missing and they were found… End of story. And if there is more to the story, the people whose Bizness this is will inform you. You are NOT entitled.

Jennifer northern November 4, 2016 (10:53 pm)

Why are you so rude? There is never an excuse for rudeness.

This situation is a time when questions are asked so all parents can learn from it. Be compassionate. You don’t know what others are facing in their own situation. They may have fears when it comes to their own kids.

Sorry, comment time is over.