Car belonging to missing state official found in Olympic Park

PORT ANGELES, Wash. – A car belonging to a state official reported missing last weekend has been found in Olympic National Park's Staircase area near Hoodsport and a search was begun for the man, the National Park Service said Tuesday.

Gilbert Gilman, 47, of Olympia — deputy director of the state Department of Retirement Systems — was apparently last seen Saturday at the Staircase Ranger Station. A co-worker reported him missing Sunday, when he failed to show up for a business trip to Spokane, according to the Thurston County sheriff's office.

Tuesday's ground search involved 14 people and two dog teams. An expanded search, including a helicopter, was planned Wednesday.

Gilman's 2005 silver Thunderbird convertible had apparently been parked at the ranger station since Saturday, a ranger told Thurston County sheriff's Chief Criminal Deputy Dan Kimball.

The ranger, Sanny Lustig, said she remembered the car's arrival because it was playing loud music. She recalled there was just one man in the car, and he fit Gilman's description, park spokeswoman Cat Hoffman said Tuesday.

Gilman, who recently moved to the Northwest from New York, was described as being in good health, with limited overnight hiking skills.

"It looks like he went out for a walk Saturday, but no one has seen him since," Kimball said.

Searchers are seeking information from anyone who may have seen Gilman since Saturday.

A search of Gilman's home turned up nothing out of the ordinary, Kimball said,