Camano Island family pleads for closure 1 year after son killed in hit-and-run
WA family pleads for closure 1 year after son killed in hit-and-run
One year after Robert Rathvon, a Camano Island man, was found dead on a highway off-ramp outside Poulsbo, his family is still searching for answers.
POULSBO, Wash. - One year after Robert Rathvon, a Camano Island man, was found dead on a highway off-ramp outside Poulsbo, his family is still searching for answers.
Struck by a car and left for dead, Robert was a pilot, adventurer, and first responder. His mother, Kathryn Rathvon, says the pain of losing him is still raw.
"There’s a perpetual sadness and emptiness about Rob," Kathryn said, standing by his grave at Holyrood Cemetery.
The tragic incident occurred early in the morning hours of December 9, 2023, between midnight and 6 a.m.
‘His parents want answers’; Troopers seek information on driver who left man for dead in Poulsbo
Robert Rathvon was killed in a hit-and-run in Poulsbo on Dec. 9, and now his family and Crime Stoppers are offering a $26,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and charge filed in the case.
Robert's body was discovered on the exit ramp of Highway 3, outside Poulsbo. Authorities believe the vehicle that hit Robert must have sustained significant damage, as investigators found fragments of fog lights near the scene.
Since then, Rathvon’s family has fought tirelessly for justice, offering a $26,000 cash reward to anyone with information that could lead to an arrest or charges. Kathryn said the search for answers has been emotionally draining.
"That was a very intense time period, trying to get through that because we hadn’t had time to grieve," she recalled. "We know Rob would want us to forgive the person who hit him, and we have dug deep to forgive them."
Washington State Trooper Katherine Weatherwax was among those first on scene of the crime. She's hopeful someone will do the right thing.
"It’s really unfortunate what happened," Weatherwax said. "We’ve gotten people to confess years later, they just want to clear their conscious. It's always better to come forward and give the family closure."
Kathryn Rathvon agrees.
"Whoever was involved in this situation must be feeling angst and guilt, and I would imagine they would want to come forward," she said. "It’s not just healing on our parts, I think it’s also healing on theirs."
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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