Snohomish Woman Missing Four Days; River Search Set -- Policeman Last Saw Her, Upset, At Boat Launch

SNOHOMISH - Authorities looking for a 43-year-old woman missing since Sunday night plan to search the Snohomish River with divers tomorrow unless she is found today.

Joyce Lamb was last seen at the Maple Street boat launch after 11 p.m. Sunday, after having had dinner with friends at Mardini's Restaurant at 101 Union Ave., said Snohomish Police Sgt. Doug Mireau. The restaurant is a few blocks from Lamb's home.

"We're exceptionally concerned," because Lamb was known as an upbeat person, and friends at dinner did not describe her as particularly distraught that night, Mireau said.

Lamb's 20-year-old son spoke with his mother after dinner that night. The son told police nothing sounded amiss with his mother. He asked her to call later and she left the apartment they shared. She did not take her keys, cigarettes or her purse with her, Mireau said.

However, a police officer who saw Lamb near the Maple Street boat launch said she was crying. She refused his assistance, and when the officer returned later she was gone, Mireau said.

Police and Snohomish County sheriff's deputies spent yesterday looking for signs of Lamb along the river's shore.

Lamb has worked for American Mechanical, a plumbing contractor in Monroe, for about eight years. She also worked as a waitress at the Oxford Saloon on First Street in Snohomish.

Lamb is 5 feet 2 inches tall and 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing black leggings, a red sweater, black high-heeled boots and a black, suede-type jacket.

Police ask anyone with information about Lamb to call them at 360-568-0888.

Chris Solomon's phone message number is 425-745-7804. His e-mail address is: csolomon@seattletimes.com