Found Deceased WA - Vanna Nguyen, 33, & James Le, aboard boat on Lake Washington, Mercer Island, 2 Sept 2019

[JerseyGirl]

Officers responded about 10:30 p.m. Monday (Sept. 2) to reports of loud music coming from a boat offshore in the 7700 block of West Mercer Way. Officers found the boat -- a red, 20-foot ski-type boat that was still playing loud music. On board the boat, officers discovered the belongings of two people, including cell phones and IDs but no one on the boat.

A truck and boat trailer belonging to Lee were found at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton.

Friends and family have told police that Nguyen and Lee were on the boat and are still missing. Both were from the Seattle area, and the missing man had experience in operating this boat.

‘She would really brighten up your day’: Friends, family continue search for missing boaters

 

[GraceG]

Food, alcohol, and cell phones left on the deck. I am afraid one of them accidentally went in the water, and the other went in to save them and they both drowned. I hope their family finds them to bring them home.Families ask for help in search for missing boaters on Lake Washington

 

[sasha17]

Still missing.

2 friends still missing after empty boat found off Mercer Island with phones, IDs onboard

 

[indicolite22]

The video at the link below shows the boat in question (at 0:55) and some of their belongings in it (what appear ot be his trousers, socks and shoes). Due to this evidence the police believe that they went for a quick swim and couldn't get out of the water (other articles mention that the boat could have drifted). The lake is quite deep in the area pinpointed as likely where they went in.

Coast Guard suspends search for two missing from boat near Mercer Island

 

[JerseyGirl]

Vigil held for missing boaters

 

[happyday]

Still missing.

2 friends still missing after empty boat found off Mercer Island with phones, IDs onboard

This article says Vanna couldn’t swim and she clung to a pink pool noodle when on the boat. Her noodle was found on the boat. Neither of these people are described as reckless so I’m surprised she wouldn’t have worn a life jacket since she couldn’t swim. I’m thinking she fell in the water & he went after her & maybe the boat drifted too far away? So sad.

 

[MizStery]

Thanks to each of you who continue to post stories on James LE and Vanna Nguyen.

The following article has a touching message expressing the deep sadness shared by all their loved ones.

Vigil for missing boaters

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 BY NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY LEAVE A COMMENT

By Ruth Bayang
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

<snip>
On the Facebook page dedicated to the vigil, Shawna Pike wrote, “Just wanted to share that even though the storm cut us short… rain is to be considered a blessing, and the lightening [sic] in the sky was very symbolic to the fact that both James and Vanna brought so much light and love to all of their family and friends. They were two people who truly made the world a better place.”

Friends and family had originally asked people with boats to scour the lake for Le and Nguyen.

The Facebook page now states, “[The police] request that we not get on the water as it may crowd the area and interfere with their work. Inexperienced divers advised not to go. It is deep and mucky down there and the silt is easily disturbed.”​

 

[TatianaBarbie]

Mercer Island PD is still looking for Vanna and James:

https://www.mi-reporter.com/news/mercer-island-pd-hopes-sonar-will-lead-to-missing-boaters/ (Sept 19, 2019)

 

[sasha17]

Waiting for confirmation, but two bodies believed to be Vanna and James were recovered from the lake.

Bodies Of Missing Boaters Recovered From Lake Washington

 

[MizStery]

This is such a tragic story. Two friends enjoying a beautiful summer evening suddenly missing and presumed drowned.

I have looked at photos of the ski boat and I did not see a ladder. We will never know but maybe they just planned on splashing around in the water then continue cruising around the lake. Everyone I have spoke to
has tried to make sense of what could have gone so wrong. Perhaps just the mere act of physically ‘heisting themselves out of the lake back onto boat’ required just too much upper body strength to be possible. If the boat did not have a ladder to safely climb back on board ‘I imagine it would be near impossible.’

Everyone ‘I know in the Seattle area has followed this story. Each and everyone of them are mourning the loss of these two young lives.

MOO

2 bodies found in Lake Washington confirmed to be missing boaters

The police marine unit arrived on scene and found a 20-foot red-and-white pleasure craft adrift with no one aboard, still blasting loud music, said Cmdr. Jeff Magnan of the Mercer Island police.

<snip>

An extensive search by air and water's surface search was suspended the next day, but marine officers spent the days since using a remote robotic device to search the lake bottom.

"Our officers have been in contact with the families during this investigation and the Medical Examiner informed them of the recovery. Our thoughts are with them in this trying time," Mercer Island police wrote.

2 bodies found in Lake Washington confirmed to be missing boaters​