UPDATE: Recovered woman is identified

Evacuation had been put on hold due to weather

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The body of Seattle resident Swetha Chirumamilla, who was swept out to sea at Rialto Beach on Monday, has been recovered.

The body of the 26-year-old was recovered at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, the park said in a press release.

The body had been kept in a secure location until improved weather conditions allowed its evacuation by the Olympic National Park search and rescue team, Molly Pittman, an Olympic National Park spokesperson, said Tuesday.

Chirumamilla was hiking along Rialto Beach with two friends when a wave overpowered the group and Chirumamilla disappeared from sight, according to a report received at 10:51 a.m. Monday.

Park rangers responded to the distress call along with the Coast Guard, La Push Tribal Police Department, Quileute Fish and Wildlife, Forks Emergency Services and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

The Coast Guard searched the area with two helicopters for five hours until a body matching the description of the missing woman was located by rangers on land.

“Extremely dangerous weather conditions prevented the completion of the recovery operation until this evening,” the park said in the release.

Olympic National Park had closed Rialto Beach due to severe weather conditions.

The incident is under investigation by the National Park Service.

More in News

Budget goals discussed at Port Angeles council meeting

Ideas sorted into short- and long-term goals

Chimacum drainage district is reactivated

Next steps are to appoint an interim board, adopt assessment system

A helicopter joins the firefighting effort Tuesday afternoon at the Belgian Fire near Brinnon. (Brinnon Fire Department)
Belgian fire under control

Firefighters remained on scene Wednesday

Electronics recycling event set for Saturday

The Port Angeles Noon Rotary will host an electronics… Continue reading

Lane closure set Wednesday for art installation

The southbound lane of Race Street in Port Angeles… Continue reading

Beachgoers look for a spot on the sand on Sunday afternoon at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. Mount Rainier looms in the distance. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Summer sand

Beachgoers look for a spot on the sand on Sunday afternoon at… Continue reading

First Fed accused in Ponzi scheme

Resignations came amid $107M lawsuit

Ballots for Aug. 5 primary election to be mailed today

Hospital commission, Port Angeles, Port Townsend city council races to be determined

Port Angeles to host forum on Rayonier cleanup

Special meeting scheduled for Tuesday

Drought conditions may require trucks to bring water to West End

Clallam Bay/Seiku and Island View water systems are under stage… Continue reading

Clallam County Democrats to host candidate forums

The Clallam County Democrats will host a series of… Continue reading