A long-running missing persons case dating back nearly two decades has finally been resolved after advanced forensic DNA testing confirmed the identity of skeletal remains discovered along the Washington coastline.
Authorities have identified the remains as belonging to Clarence Edwin “Ed” Asher, a former mayor and retired telecommunications worker who disappeared in 2006.
Disappearance During Routine Boating Trip
On September 5, 2006, Asher, then 72 years old, set out alone on his boat in Tillamook Bay, Oregon, as he often did, to go crabbing. When he failed to return home by approximately 3:00 p.m., his wife contacted the Oregon State Police to report him missing.
Asher was well known in his community. Before retirement, he worked as a lineman technician for the Fossil Telephone Company and had previously served as mayor of Fossil, Oregon. After retiring, he spent much of his time boating and crabbing.
Extensive Search Efforts End Without Answers
Following the report, the U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search and rescue operation, deploying multiple boats, helicopters, and crews to comb the area. Asher’s 21-foot fishing vessel was eventually located about half a mile from Garibaldi Marina.
Inside the boat, authorities found live crab and two of the three buoys he had been using. However, no life jacket was discovered. According to his wife, Asher was known not to wear a life vest and could not swim.
Investigators suspected he had fallen overboard. After approximately 11 hours of searching, efforts were suspended the following day. Asher was presumed drowned, and a memorial service was held in his honor on October 14, 2006.
Remains Discovered in Washington Months Later
In November 2006, skeletal remains were discovered on a beach in Taholah, a village within the Quinault Indian Reservation in Grays Harbor County, Washington.
At the time, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office determined the remains belonged to an adult male estimated to be between 20 and 60 years old, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing between 170 and 180 pounds. However, no identification could be made, and the individual was classified as Grays Harbor County John Doe.
Breakthrough Using Advanced DNA Technology
Nearly 20 years later, new forensic methods led to a breakthrough. In 2024, evidence from the case was submitted by the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office, in collaboration with the King County Medical Examiner, to Othram, a forensic laboratory in Texas specializing in genetic genealogy and cold case investigations.
Scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, a cutting-edge DNA analysis technique, to generate a detailed genetic profile. Genealogy experts then analyzed the data, ultimately confirming that the remains belonged to Edwin Asher.
Public Support and Ongoing Cold Case Efforts
Officials involved in resolving the case acknowledged that funding for the advanced DNA testing was provided through support from Washington state leadership, including the governor’s office, the attorney general, and the state legislature.
They also encouraged members of the public who have taken consumer DNA tests to consider participating in databases such as DNASolves, which assist law enforcement in identifying unknown remains and resolving long-unsolved cases.
Closure After Years of Uncertainty
The identification brings long-awaited answers to Asher’s family and closes a case that spanned nearly two decades. While the loss remains painful, officials hope the resolution offers a sense of closure after years of uncertainty.
The case highlights how modern forensic science and DNA technology continue to transform missing persons investigations, helping families find answers—even many years later.