SEATTLE -- Search divers found the body of a missing woman under a pier near the Ballard Bridge Friday morning, the woman's family told KING 5 News.
Lia Hawkins, 33, was last seen Thursday morning aboard the boat The Sahara, currently docked at the Seaview Boatyard. Hawkins worked on the boat as the office manager, along with her brother.
Her brother said he last saw her on the ship at 11 a.m.; she was never seen or heard from since. Police said Hawkins' SUV was still parked at the dock and her purse and cell phone were still aboard the ship.
After an unsuccessful search Thursday night, authorities resumed their search Friday morning. Harbor Patrol dive teams found a woman's body matching the description of Hawkins underneath the pier where The Sahara is docked shortly before noon.
Family and friends of Hawkins, who came to the boat yard early Friday to assist in the search, were devastated when they heard the news.
"It doesn't make sense who goes. Life is so precious, that's why you have to enjoy each day, each moment because you never know when your card's going to be pulled," said Hawkins' best friend.
The medical examiner will confirm the identity of the body and is investigating the cause of death. Police do not know if it was accidental or if there was foul play, so they are currently treating the case as a death investigation.
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