WA WA- Quinault Indian Reservation, on a beach, Grays Harbor County John Doe#UP139985, skeletal, Nov.,2006, DNA- Clarence Edwin "Ed" Asher, 72, 2026.

[dotr]

Grays Harbor County John Doe (2006) is Identified

Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office and the King County Medical Examiner's Office Team with Othram to Identify a 2006 John Doe

dnasolves.com

''In November 2006, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found on a beach in Taholah, an unincorporated village on the Quinault Indian Reservation, in Grays Harbor County, Washington. Grays Harbor County is on the Pacific coast of Washington near Seattle. The Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. They determined the remains were an adult man, likely aged 20 to 60 years old or older. The man was about 5' 9" tall and weighed an estimated 170 to 180 lbs.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Grays Harbor County John Doe (2006). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP139985.'

''In 2025, the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office, collaborating with the King County Medical Examiner, submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Scientists at Othram determined if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, which led investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Clarence Edwin "Ed" Asher, born April 2, 1934.

Ed Asher was declared legally dead in 2006 after he was presumed to have drowned while crabbing in Tillamook Bay on September 5, 2006. Born and raised in Oregon, he opened the Asher's Variety Store in Fossil, Oregon in 1965 and worked as a lineman for the Fossil Telephone Company before retiring in 1995. He was also a past mayor of Fossil. He was 72 years old when he died.''

 

[Susikatze]

Fascinating. His remains floated out of the basin into the open sea and were pushed further up within just 2 months.

Still noone made the connection. Sad.

jmoo

 

[dotr]

Jan. 15, 2026 By David Chiu

Skeletal Remains Found on Beach Identified as Former Mayor Who Vanished 20 Years Ago and Was Declared Legally Dead

Skeletal remains found on a beach in Washington State nearly 20 years ago have been identified as belonging to Clarence Edwin Asher, a former Oregon mayor.

people.com

''Last year, the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office and the King County Medical Examiner sent forensic evidence linked to the case to private DNA laboratory Othram to see if a DNA examination can help identify the victim.

“Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man,” the company shared in a statement. “Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.”

“Loves in Ed's life included his wife of over 20 years, Helen, their large family, antique cars, fishing, boating, hunting, black labs, cooking and RVing,” the obituary read.''

Jan 14, 2026
Human remains found on a Washington beach nearly 20 years ago were identified as former Fossil Mayor Ed Asher, missing since 2006, using DNA analysis.