1980-05-17, TUTE, Velvetia "Velvet" P. - missing

[BC Ident]

Velvetia P. Tute

AKA "Velvet"


Case Type:
Missing

Missing Date & Location:
May 17, 1980 - 13 miles west of Mount St. Helens on Logging Road 3500, Skamania County, Washington


Sex:
Female

Age (at time of disappearnce):
51 years old


Medical:
 - Had given birth twice previously.


Background:
Velvet was a free spirit and enjoyed the gentler things in life, flowers, nature, art & yoga. Painting was a passion. She was also a yoga instructor.



Circumstances of Dsiappearance:

"Velvet" and her husband James S. Tute were visiting the area from Mission, B.C. so Velvet could paint Mount St Helens. They were last seen about 3:00 pm, May 17th on Logging Road 3500, roughly 13 miles west of Mount St. Helens. They visited the area in their Volkswagen van and were accompanied by their dog. Neither the couple, their dog or their vehicle were ever recovered.

[Chris]

I assume this person parished in the the volcanic eruption then?

[BC Ident]

It is highly likely they all perished in the eruption. It's just odd they were unable to locate any of their bodies or their vehicle. I have no data on how much ash would have fallen that distance from the volcano.

I am sure they'll come across some evidence one day.

[Chris]

It depends on how close they were. The ash became liquid like and buried things for miles around. They may never be found like some of the others who went missing. I guess they did not heed the warnings to leave the area.

[BC Ident]

I checked and a Mount St. Helens website said they were roughly 13 miles west of ground zero on Logging Road 3500.