Missing Washington Mother Identified After Remains Found
Skeletal remains discovered by hikers in Washington state have been confirmed to belong to Hayley E. Asay, a mother of three who vanished nearly 18 months ago while mushroom hunting with friends.
Authorities confirmed that these remains belonged to the 33-year-old from Cowlitz County, last seen by her family in November 2024 in Kelso, Washington, which is around 80 miles north of Portland, Oregon.
Last Sunday, two young men hiking in Rose Valley stumbled upon the remains along with some clothing and promptly alerted the authorities, as reported by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
Once a forensic anthropologist confirmed the bones were human, a thorough search was initiated by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office to find any additional remains.
They reported finding a nearly complete set of skeletal remains alongside pieces of clothing and personal items.
According to the sheriff’s office, “A forensic dentist examined the recovered skull and compared the teeth to Ms. Asay’s dental records. The dentist was able to make a positive comparison and identified the remains as those of Hayley Asay.”
Family members indicated that Hayley had gone mushroom hunting with friends in the Rose Valley area shortly before her disappearance.
Her mother, Nicole Brooks, has expressed concerns about potential foul play, noting that Hayley battled addiction and mental health issues. Brooks mentioned that since Hayley had not been in touch for some time, she wasn’t officially reported missing until January—about two months after her last known sighting.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Asay’s death is ongoing, and authorities have not released any evidence suggesting foul play or any potential suspects. They also haven’t disclosed the name of the friend who was reportedly with her during the mushroom hunt.
The coroner’s office stated, “This is an open investigation, and no other information will be released by our office at this time.”
