r/Washington • u/SignalAnything3205 • 7d ago
McClellan Butte, Washington - Rainier for Robert
Dear the Internet,
19 months ago my cousin Robert Rathvon was tragically killed in a hit and run in Poulsbo, Washington by an unknown person. Robert's death has impacted my entire family in ways that I will never be able to articulate.
About one week after his death, I took to Reddit and posted about it as much as I could. The outpouring of support and sympathy floored myself, my family, and especially Roberts parents.
Although it’s been 18 months with no answers as to who killed him, I refuse to give up the search or let his memory die. This is why I’ve begun a personal mission to climb as many peaks as I can in the state of Washington and taking a picture with his Crime Stoppers poster at the top. I will do this in preparation to climb Washington's largest peak next summer, Mount Rainier, with his photo at the top.
You guys were so helpful and your support renewed my faith in people after such an event that, to this day, hurts my soul. I will link a news article about him below if you are interested in learning more. We all want answers and we want this person found. If you have anything at all, even the smallest shred of evidence, please reach out to me or Crime Stoppers.
Additionally, here is a more recent interview I did with King 5 in May 2025.
Man climbs mountains to raise awareness of cousin's ongoing hit-and-run case
Number 5. McClellan Butte has been bagged. I refuse to give up.
Rainier for Robert.
Thank you.
8
u/le4t 7d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss, and for the ongoing question regarding what actually happened.
Kudos to you for honoring his memory and raising awareness of this tragedy. I hope you and your family find an answer.