Members of Ladysmith’s search and rescue answered the call to duty last week as crews combed through the woods for any clues in the disappearance of a young woman.
Tyeshia Jones, 18, was last seen in Duncan on Jan. 22 in the 5000 block of Miller Road around 2 a.m. Sadly, on Friday, Jan. 28, police announced they located a body that was believed to be Jones near Indian Rd. in Duncan.
An autopsy was to be done Jan. 31 to confirm the identity and cause of death. Foul play is suspected.
Bill Drysdale, president of Ladysmith Search and Rescue, said five members were dispatched on Jan. 24 and one more on Jan. 26.
Drysdale realized there was a great public interest in the case, but said he always keeps firm to his goal of reuniting family members.
“There’s that level of frustration that you are not able to do that,” said Drysdale from Ladysmith.
It becomes even harder considering the family is right there, too.
“It comes with the territory. It’s going to be pretty much the same in each situation.”
Drysdale said when he is searching, he resigns himself to the fact he may make a grim discovery.
“I’ve got a lot of years in the military. You see stuff that isn’t pleasant, but that’s life,” said Drysdale, adding the drive to help reunite a family or bring some closure to the case can override any apprehension.
Even being the bearer of the bad news can bring a family closure, said Drysdale, as hard as it may be.
“If they know, they are half way there to dealing with the grief.”
Part of search and rescue’s mandate is to also help the coroner with corpse recovery.
Drysdale recalls being called in to retrieve the body of a man who was pinned under his quad.
“It has to be done.”
“If you’ve seen a bit of tragedy (in life) it’s easier to deal with because you realize life goes on,” said Drysdale.
“For a young person ... it might be more traumatic.”