As of the afternoon of August 8, 2006, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office officials have conducted several planning meetings throughout the day to plan the continued efforts in the search for two year old Shay Smith presumed drowned at Carter Lake.
Larimer County Dive Team members continue to work with Shay’s family and friends to determine the most accurate “last seen point” in an effort to more effectively deploy the resources necessary to find Shay. It is imperative that members of the public and any of Shay’s family’s friends and associates contact the LCSO with all of the information they have regarding where Shay was last seen and the conditions under which any observations were made.
The fact that the family boat was moving across the lake makes it difficult for any one person to know precisely where Shay fell into the water. This is why it is so important for anyone and everyone with information about this tragedy to share what they know with authorities so that the most precise “last seen point” can be determined from a variety of witness perspectives. With more information provided by witnesses, a tighter “triangulation” effort can be made that may make all the difference in locating Shay. Any small piece of information may be important.
Larimer County authorities including the Larimer County Parks, the Sheriff’s Office, the Dive Team, witnesses and concerned civilians alike have been brought together by this tireless effort to find Shay. This effort is taking its toll. Many searchers are reaching their limits of both physical and emotional resolve in this effort. Countless hours have been expended by many members of these organizations without resolving Shay’s fate. Our community can be grateful that so many are willing to sacrifice to others in critical need.
County officials are now in contact with additional nationally recognized resources to determine the availability of new personnel and equipment that may be enlisted to add to the search efforts. These organizations and individuals will be identified if they are able to help.
Again we ask the public to call with any information witnessed from the shore or from the water about the disappearance of Shay Smith. Please call Undersheriff Ern Hudson at the Larimer County Dispatch Center at 416-1985.
Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Rick
