WA WA - Michael James Ash, 35, belongings found, mental health crisis, Renton, 17 Apr 2023

mlhenn

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Case Photo

MISSING
Date of Last Contact

April 17, 2023
Missing From
Renton, Washington
Missing Age
35 Years
Current Age
37 Years

Circumstances of Disappearance
Michael was last seen just after 12:00pm on 04/16/2023 walking westbound on S. 43rd St. past Valley Medical Center. Family last spoke to him via telephone on 04/17/2023.
 

Details of Disappearance​

Ash disappeared from Renton, Washington. On April 15, 2023, he spoke to his parents in Massachusetts on the phone and they were alarmed by his mental state, although he assured them he wasn't going to harm himself. They urged him to go to the hospital and seek help.

At 12:08 a.m. on April 16, Ash's father called the Renton Police Department and requested a welfare check on Ash. Officers went to Ash's condo and noticed his car was there, but he wasn't answering the door. They checked a local hospital but he wasn't there either.

At 1:40 a.m., Ash himself called 911 and said he was outside the emergency department of the hospital and was having a panic attack and asked for a police officer to contact him. An officer called him, but Ash said he was now in the emergency department and no longer needed help. He called 911 again at 5:51 a.m. and officers went to his location and offered resources, including a ride to the hospital, but Ash declined assistance and he did not meet the criteria necessary for officers to involuntarily commit him to the hospital.

At 11:44 a.m., a friend of Ash's called police and said Ash was having a mental breakdown and had checked himself into the hospital, but had left, and he wanted to report Ash missing. An officer was dispatched to Ash's last known location and, after looking around, found him just after noon. Ash was walking westbound on South 43rd Street, past Valley Medical Center. The officer told him to call his family. He did call them on April 17, but this was the last time anyone heard from him.

On April 18, Ash's parents flew to Washington from Massachusetts to look for their son. Some of his belongings were located in the mulch beds at Ron Regis Park: laptop computers, phones, jackets and other items. There was also a receipt from CVS Pharmacy in the 10700 block of Southeast Carr Road, dated April 17. Surveillance video from the pharmacy showed Ash was there at 9:31 a.m. that day.

It's uncharacteristic of Ash to go missing; his family stated he worked for the University of Washington and was considered a reliable employee, and that he was training in martial arts at a local dojo, and he wouldn't have missed work or his training sessions without a good reason.

Due to his mental state, it is advised not to approach Ash if you see him but to call police instead. His case remains unsolved.
 
The belongings that were found in the park look like they were intentionally packed or grouped together, like what you would take in a carry on? It sounds like he was very afraid and paranoid during the days he was last in contact, I wonder if he packed a bag to try and go somewhere to hide. MOO

I understand he may not have been in his right mind, but some of the items seem intentional - like pairing chargers with multiple devices. But why the suit jacket and multiple pairs of work gloves?


Park where items were found, CVS receipt was from, hospital he was last seen at
 
Do I see two laptops? One of those notes says "vow of silence", I can't quite make out the other one.

Poor guy, I hope he is found soon.
 
Do I see two laptops? One of those notes says "vow of silence", I can't quite make out the other one.

Poor guy, I hope he is found soon.
Yeah, it looks like a work issued laptop and a personal laptop maybe. I can also make out "H20" on one of the pieces of paper but nothing else. The magnets and white board pen make me think this was maybe just his usual work bag but the eye mask reads more carry on.

Michael worked at UW in their Continuum College program, which is the division that manages grade school partnerships, continuing education, professional programs, international students, etc.

Michael's linkedin:
 

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