PEND OREILLE COUNTY, Wash. — The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its ground search for a missing monk last seen on Nov. 7 on the Buddhist abbey property.
64-year-old Dadul Namgyal, allegedly went on a walk on the 300-acre abbey property on Nov. 7 and did not return.
Namgyal recently joined Buddhist abbey and became its first male resident teacher. He has been a monk in the Tibetan tradition for more than 40 years and has had a big impact of the monk community.
Search and Rescue has used dogs, drones and helicopters to search the area where the monk was last seen. Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee says that his office has used all resources available and exhausted all efforts.
The sheriff’s office and Buddhist abbey community are relying on the public’s help for any tips.
Founder of abbey, Ven. Thubten Chodron, says that Namgyal was last seen wearing a jacket, winter shoes, warm socks and a hat. Sheriff Blakeslee says the terrain on the property is slick due to rain, but temperatures haven’t been cold enough to freeze.
If you or anyone you know has seen him or know where he may be, you are asked to call the sheriff’s office at (509) 447-3151. There will be posters around the property for hikers to be aware.
Volunteers are continuing their searching for the monk and will be posting update videos on Facebook.
