Woman with autism missing in Aitkin County, authorities still searching
Pictured is Tonya Yarmakov, 23, who was been missing since Sept. 10 in the Savanna State Park. (Courtesy of the Aitkin County Sheriffs Office) (Supplied)
AITKIN COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A woman with autism has been missing in Aitkin County for a week as authorities continue search efforts.
What we know
According to the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office, Tonya Yarmakov, 23, who is autistic and also has Type 1 diabetes, went missing on Sept. 4, around noon in Savanna Portage State Park.
Authorities say that at the time, her family had gone fishing and left her on the dock alone, when they witnessed her run away. The family says they conducted their own search prior to notifying deputies.
Yarmakov is described as 5 feet tall with dark brown hair. She was last seen wearing a rainbow tie-dyed shirt, with black gym shorts and shoes. She was also wearing headphones at the time she went missing.
Extensive search efforts
As of Sept. 10, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office says it has logged 2,225 search and rescue hours throughout several agencies, including the St. Louis County Search and Rescue Squad, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire, forestry and parks divisions. McGregor Fire Department, Palisade Fire Department, Aitkin County Search and Rescue, SAR 14 and Christian Aid Ministries. Flights from the Minnesota State Patrol and Cirrus Aircraft, as well as K9’s have also been part of the search efforts.
Searches will continue until Yarmakov is found, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office says.
What we don’t know
Authorities have not detailed any motives as to why she might have gone missing or provided specific details for future searches.