Searching for Travis Coleman: Missing man's mother reflects on a year after his disappearance | News

WENATCHEE – On April 22, 2023, Travis Coleman disappeared from his home in Wenatchee, in the foothills of the city. He was 39 years old and suffering from a mental health crisis.

Multiple searches have failed to find Travis and he is now presumed dead. But his family would like to remember him and, if possible, bring his remains home from the mountains.

His mother, Denise McBurnie, is appealing for public assistance to continue the search between Castle Rock and Wenatchee Heights. She is also asking everyone to attend a memorial service for Travis this weekend.

“He always tried to give unconditional love to everyone,” McBurnie says. “And he always tried to please people. And he was respectful and had the best manners. And he was very hurt inside. He was very hurt and he didn't know very well how to deal with this pain. And so I know that wherever he is, he's better off hurting.

McBurnie said she is in contact with Aloft Drone Search, a nonprofit organization that uses aerial technology to search for missing people, for further possible aerial coverage of the Wenatchee Foothills. She has also started her own wellness coaching practice called Loving You Back To Life with the goal of helping with family reunification.

If you have any information that could assist in the recovery of Travis Coleman's remains, please call Wenatchee Police Detective Brian Hewitt at bhewitt@wenatcheewa.gov or RiverCom at (509) 663-9911.

NCLIFE: What kind of searches took place?

Denise McBurnie: At the beginning we couldn't conduct an official search. And so we had followers on Facebook and other social media that helped us. They went on horseback. They rode ATVs around the Butler Ridge area and then all the way in the hills above Wenatchee. Then on day 17, I believe, Chelan County was able to start a search around the spot where we found his bags above Monitor.

A search operation was launched in the Castle Rock area in October, involving cadaver dogs, volunteer search and rescue personnel on the ground and a helicopter. I'm not sure about drones – but it was a pretty extensive search and they searched from Castle Rock to the area (Horse Lake Road). …And nothing was found. Nothing at all. And then the snow came and here we are. If people are hiking, especially Castle Rock towards Wenatchee Heights, that would be a great place to look for it.

NCLIFE: Since the loss of Travis, you have spent some time speaking with city officials, police and various agencies. You spent some time before the city council. I believe you were trying to draw attention to the nationally recommended missing persons policy.

Denise McBurnie: I am currently trying to work with the Wenatchee City Council and the Wenatchee Police Department to change their response to missing persons cases in the hopes that the next special heart will be found alive. I have read the WPD Missing Persons Standard Operating Procedures. Many were not followed, but this one stood out to me: 316.2 Policy: “Wenatchee PD does not consider reporting a missing person to be routine and assumes that the missing person requires immediate assistance until an investigation determines otherwise.” WPD “Grants missing persons cases priority over property-related cases and does not require a specific period of time to elapse before beginning missing persons investigations.” That wasn't actually our experience, it was exactly the opposite of that. The detectives turned us away even after Travis' case was assigned and he had been on the Washington state missing persons list since the third day of his disappearance. They suggested that we ask our community for help in finding and investigating Travis' case. So that's what we did, and because of our cry for help, wonderful souls from all over the valley and beyond began to help, support and send loving prayers. … I call them Team Heart and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

NCLIFE: It's just been a year since Travis went missing. And next Saturday, May 18, your family is planning a celebration of life and hope at Awaken Church. That's at 12:30 p.m. Can you tell us what to expect?

Denise McBurnie: Yes. Expect a smile, expect joy, expect love. … We come together to celebrate his life, to celebrate life and hope in general. I really believe in prayer. I believe in positive energy. I believe in the importance of bringing people together to support each other and that hugs heal. …And I just want everyone to know that you are so invited.

NCLIFE: How has that changed you?

Denise McBurnie: I learned how deep my love is. I learned to transform darkness into light because Travis made me face my greatest fear – losing a child. And it's probably every parent's big, big fear. …But because my faith is so great and I know that God has a bigger plan than I can even imagine, I just keep going. And somehow I have the urge to never give up within me.