Body Discovered in Costa Rica Where California Woman Went Missing

A body has been located in Costa Rica in the vicinity where a woman from California, Ashley Phillips, went missing.

The 30-year-old vanished after attempting to hike a trail amid a severe storm.

Authorities have yet to confirm if the body is indeed Phillips. Reports indicated that rescue teams were seen gathering bodies from the rivers in that area.

Phillips’ family is understandably in shock but finds some solace in the possibility that her body could be returned home. Costa Rican officials mentioned that she likely disappeared in a “water-related accident.”

She has been unaccounted for for over two weeks, with initial search operations interrupted before being renewed due to extreme weather conditions.

A gofundme campaign was started earlier this month, and its creators reflected on the difficult situation faced by Phillips’ family. They expressed that, “Over the past seven days, Jonkey and the Phillips family have lived through the worst nightmare of every parent and sibling.”

The fundraising goal stands at $20,000, with more than $18,000 raised to date.

In an update shared on June 12, the family noted it had been 10 days since her disappearance and that weather issues significantly hampered search efforts. They stated, “Today marks 10 days since Ashley went hiking and never returned. Due to ongoing severe weather conditions in Costa Rica, search efforts have been temporarily suspended.”

They plan to continue searching once conditions improve, particularly as the drier season approaches.

Phillips’ father shared that his daughter was staying in a remote area with limited emergency services, and he recalled a joyful moment when she shared news of a tiny pineapple sprouting in a bush during her stay. She was reportedly in Costa Rica for medical treatment at a healing center located in a lush reserve within a rainforest.