In a tragic confirmation, Washington state authorities have identified skeletal remains found in Rose Valley as those of a 33-year-old woman who was reported missing almost 18 months ago. This discovery brings a somber conclusion to a case that has remained unsolved for over a year.
Last Sunday, two young men stumbled upon the remains while hiking through a wooded area of Rose Valley. They promptly informed local authorities, as stated by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. Alongside the remains, they also found clothing, which raised suspicions about the identity of the deceased.
Upon receiving a photograph of the bones, a forensic anthropologist confirmed they were indeed human, setting off a chain of events aimed at uncovering more about this grim find.
The subsequent day saw a concerted effort by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office, working in conjunction with the sheriff’s office and various search and rescue teams, to thoroughly search the area for additional remains or clues.
The missing woman was identified as Hailey Athay, who had vanished in November 2024. Her family had been searching for answers ever since, clinging to hope that she might be found.
Guided by one of the hikers who initially found the bones, the search team returned to the site and discovered nearly complete skeletal remains. They also located several articles of clothing and personal items, further confirming the identity of the remains. The sheriff’s office has been diligent in piecing together the woman’s last known whereabouts and the circumstances leading to her disappearance.
The location was in the middle of an area that a detective had identified, through investigation and interviews, as an area of interest in the disappearance of Hailey E. Athay, 33, of Cowlitz County, 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.
A friend of Athay said she was going mushroom picking with a man before her disappearance, local affiliate FOX 13 Seattle reported.
Prior searches had been conducted near the area, but the sheriff’s office said no evidence had been recovered.
On Tuesday, a forensic odontologist examined the recovered skull and compared the teeth to dental records for Athay, confirming a match.
The sheriff’s office previously searched a nearby area in connection with Athay’s disappearance. (Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office)
Officials said Athay’s cause and manner of death remain under investigation, pending an analysis by a forensic anthropologist.
It is unclear if any suspects have been identified in Athay’s disappearance, or if foul play is suspected.
Athay’s mother, Nicole Brooks, told local outlet KPTV that Athay was a mother of three daughters.
