Search for missing Soap Lake man continues

Sheriff's deputy calls for information about the disappearance of Mike Mallon

GRANT COUNTY — It's been almost six months since Mike Mallon disappeared, and the Grant County Sheriff's Office is still looking for answers.

"We're hoping for something, for anybody, to come forward," Chief Deputy Courtney Conklin said.

Last week, the sheriff's office sent out a news release requesting the help of all hunters and people traveling in the rural areas of Grant County to locate what would most likely be Mallon's body.

Mallon, 79, was last seen in Soap Lake on April 26. His home, which is located in rural Grant County in the Willow Lakes area outside Soap Lake, was burglarized that weekend.

Stolen were a number of World War II vintage firearms, memorabilia, coins and a generator, most of which was recovered, Conklin said.

The burglar gained entry by kicking open the door, according to sheriff's reports.

Authorities arrested 20-year-old Dustin Abrams, Moses Lake, after the weapons were recovered at another residence during a drug raid.

One of the people at that residence told police he obtained the weapons from Abrams, who he said stole them from Mallon.

Abrams was convicted on June 8 in Grant County Superior Court of four counts of theft of a firearm, first-degree theft and second-degree theft. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Abrams entered an Alford plea in the case, which meant he did not acknowledge his guilt but did acknowledge that enough evidence existed to convict him.

Mallon, a World War II veteran who was still involved in the American Legion, lived alone, collected old guns and was very healthy for his age, Mallon's daughter Patti Lee, who lives in Boise, Idaho, said in a telephone interview.

Lee said her father was running marathons in his 50s and 60s and was in better shape than most people half his age.

A Grant County resident for three years, Mallon had befriended an acquaintance of Abrams, Lee said, and sold the younger men scrap metal for their cars.

"He was always helping people. That's how he got into this, by helping those boys," she said, adding that she believes he was murdered.

Lee said the family has also hired a private investigator to look for Mallon.

Conklin said sheriff's deputies searched the area surrounding Mallon's home just after he was reported missing but had no luck finding the man or a body.

Though Mallon has not yet been declared dead, authorities do suspect foul play, Conklin said.

The sheriff's office also has not yet began a homicide investigation, though Conklin said Mallon's body could be buried or could have been dumped into the water in the area.

Grant County Detective Kim Cook, who has been handling the case, said Abrams was one of the last people to be seen with Mallon, and Abrams may be connected with his disappearance or death.

"I can't say 100 percent that he did do it, but I do think he's involved," Cook said.

Conklin said the sheriff's office has heard a lot of theories from a lot of different people so far, but nothing substantial.

"We're kind of at a standstill now," he said.

If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Mike Mallon, contact Grant County Detective Kim Cook at 1-800-572-0119 ext. 468.