COLVILLE, Wash. -- Palouse Falls state park was still closed Tuesday night after a swimmer disappeared underwater over the weekend.
Isaac Engell, 23, of Colville, was reportedly swimming near the base of the waterfall when he was sucked under the rough waters. So far, there has been no sign of him.
Isaac’s mother, Laurie, spoke with KREM 2 on Facebook. She said, “Isaac was full of joy and he was an adventure. Loved his family very much and was a friend to many. He was such an encourager. Loved people and always smiling. He was a hard worker and so thoughtful. He was part of the Engell Family Band and guitar player in his brother's band, The Dunn Mountain Boys. He loved the Lord and desired to serve Him with all his heart. We are confident he is in the presence of Jesus. His greatest adventure ever.”
It is clear that Isaac touched the lives of many people.
"One thing I really appreciate about him is he used all his talents and abilities to input into people's lives," his friend, Marcus DeLano said.
It was the people he loved and cared about most who have been tirelessly searching for him.
On the day Isaac went missing, Herb Girton, of Richland, Washington, was hiking at Palouse Falls. Girton was shooting this video, when he spotted a few men swimming in the water.
"While I was walking toward the waterfall to get closer to the spray and everything, that's when I spoke to the first gentleman and he was telling me he got out of the water due to the fact it being choppy and he felt the undertow kind of pulling him toward the water fall," Girton explained.
The current was so strong. According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, two other men were sucked in deeper into the water. One made it out but Isaac did not. The sheriff's office suspended the search for him Sunday. Isaac's mother said his family and friends continued to look for him on their own.
"Nobody really expects somebody at this age to just disappear and just leave us that fast. It just feels like nobody is prepared for it," DeLano said.
Girton said he did not see any signs near the falls warnings people not to swim. Isaac's mother said they want a sign out in the area to discourage people from swimming down there.