Craters of the Moon search continues
Seventy volunteers from across Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming joined a renewed ground search for a missing Oregon woman at Craters of the Moon National Monument Friday.
They are looking for 63-year-old Dr. Jodean Ellliot-Blakeslee, who was last seen September 19th after leaving for a day hike in the monument. Her hiking partner, 70-year-old Amy Linkert’s body was found September 25. Linkert, of Boise, likely died of hypothermia and dehydration, officials said.
The volunteers, including nine different dog teams, organized into teams at 7 a.m. Friday. The search is concentrating in two locations south of previous search areas.
The Oregon Department of Corrections donated 500 meals to help feed the volunteers. Ellliot-Blakeslee worked for the agency in Ontario, Oregon.
After a government shut-down began Tuesday, Monument Superintendent Dan Buckley was given special permission to keep ten unpaid employees on staff to help in the search.
Buckley said anything the searchers find, whether it be trash or clothing, will be considered a significant clue.
A group of “cavers” were expected at the Monument Saturday to scour the numerous caves that dot the lava rock landscape.
