Moses Lake man goes missing

Billy Clapp Lake searched

STRATFORD — Lawrence D. Olson, 51, Moses Lake, is missing and was last seen in a boat on Billy Clapp Lake, two miles north of Stratford.

Callers to 9-1-1 reported a 45-year-old Moses Lake female, a companion of Olson, in her bathing suit yelling for help Saturday morning from the west shore of the lake, according to Chief Criminal Deputy John Turley.

Olson and the woman reportedly launched the boat the night before and traveled north. The woman told law enforcement she went swimming in the lake at night and became disoriented, losing site of the boat. She allegedly swam to shore and spent the night. She began yelling for help the next morning.

Different boaters spotted her and took her to the boat launch to meet with deputies, Turley added.

Olson's boat was found drifting near the west shore by marine patrol units as they searched for the missing man.

"Due to a lack of knowledge of the area and being under the influence of intoxicants (the woman) was unable to give a precise location of where they had been on the lake," Turley stated. "Initial examination revealed that nothing was amiss in the boat and coolers and other camping items appeared to be undisturbed."

The boat, trailer, and Olson's pickup were taken into custody for safekeeping and a more extensive examination, said Turley.

Aircraft were used by Grant County Search & Rescue volunteers to search the lake and 3 miles around it without success.

"If Olson is in the water and presumed drowned it will take between one to two weeks before his body may rise," stated Turley. "This will depend on water temperature and how he was dressed."

Marine patrols are continuing to search the area several times each week until he is found.

Billy Clapp Lake is used for irrigation and is between 70 feet and 90 feet deep.