Authorities in Washington state have confirmed that the remains found by climbers in Rose Valley belong to a 33-year-old woman who had been missing for about a year and a half.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office reported that two young men hiking in a wooded area stumbled upon skeletal remains and clothing, prompting them to notify the authorities.
Photographs of the remains were sent to a forensic anthropologist who confirmed they were human. Following this, the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office collaborated with the Sheriff’s Office and various search and rescue teams to conduct an extensive search for any additional remains.
One of the men who discovered the bones even guided searchers to the scene, where nearly complete skeletons, along with clothing and personal items, were uncovered. This location had already been flagged by detectives as significant to the investigation into the disappearance of Hayley E. Asay, who was last seen by her family in Kelso, Washington, in November 2024. She was reported missing in January 2025, according to the sheriff’s office.
Local station FOX 13 Seattle noted that a friend of Asay mentioned she had gone mushroom hunting with a man prior to her disappearance. An initial search of the area had yielded no evidence.
On Tuesday, a forensic dentist examined the recovered skull and matched the teeth to Asay’s dental records, confirming her identity.
Officials indicated that the cause and manner of Asay’s death are still being investigated, pending further analysis. It’s still unclear whether a suspect has been identified or if foul play is suspected.
Asay was a mother of three daughters, and her mother, Nicole Brooks, shared sentiments with local media, expressing the family’s heartbreak over the loss.
