Human remains discovered on a Washington beach have been identified as Clarence Edwin “Ed” Asher, a former mayor of Fossil, Oregon, who disappeared while crabbing nearly 20 years ago.
Asher vanished on September 5, 2006, while crabbing in Tillamook Bay, Oregon. He was 72 years old at the time. The Coast Guard suspended its search on September 6, 2006, and Asher was declared legally dead in 2006 after being presumed drowned.
In November 2006, skeletal remains washed ashore on a beach in Taholah, Washington, an unincorporated village on the Quinault Indian Reservation in Grays Harbor County, Washington. The location sits 124 miles north of Tillamook Bay. Despite efforts by the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office to identify the remains, the case went cold. The remains were designated as “Grays Harbor County John Doe,” and the unidentified individual was estimated to be between 20 and 60 years old or older, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing between 170 and 180 pounds.
The case remained unsolved until 2025, when the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office and King County Medical Examiner’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram, a Texas lab specializing in forensic genetic genealogy. Scientists at the facility extracted DNA from the skeletal remains and built a comprehensive DNA profile using genome sequencing technology.
The forensic genetic genealogy team at Othram used the DNA profile in a genetic genealogy search through DNASolves, the lab’s public database for cold cases. The search developed new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement. DNA samples were then collected from a relative of Asher and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified remains. The samples matched, confirming the identity of Grays Harbor County John Doe as Clarence Edwin “Ed” Asher.
The identification represents the 43rd case in the State of Washington where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. The breakthrough highlights the growing role of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and identifying unknown remains across the country. Forensic genetic genealogy combines traditional DNA testing with genealogical research, allowing investigators to trace family trees and identify potential relatives of unidentified individuals.
Asher was born on April 2, 1934, in Salem, Oregon, and was raised in Astoria, Oregon. In 1952, he moved to Fossil, Oregon. There, he worked as a lineman for the Fossil Telephone Company until retiring in 1995 after more than four decades of service. In 1965, Asher opened Asher’s Variety Store, which became a fixture in the community.
Beyond his business ventures, Asher was deeply involved in civic life. He served as mayor of Fossil and volunteered as a fireman and ambulance driver. His contributions to the small community extended across multiple boards and organizations, reflecting a lifetime of public service.
Asher’s wife, Helen Asher, passed away in 2018. The couple had built a blended family that included 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, according to family records.
The circumstances surrounding Asher’s disappearance in 2006 involved a crabbing trip to Tillamook Bay, a small inlet on the northwest coast of Oregon popular with recreational crabbers. Asher did not wear a lifejacket and could not swim. These factors likely contributed to the presumption that he had drowned when he went missing.
The discovery of his remains 124 miles north of where he disappeared raises questions about ocean currents and how bodies can travel significant distances along the Pacific Coast. Marine experts note that coastal currents, tides, and storm patterns can transport remains considerable distances over time, making recovery and identification challenging in cases involving drowning victims along the coastline.
The identification of Asher’s remains provides closure to a case that has puzzled investigators for nearly two decades. The use of advanced DNA technology demonstrates how modern forensic techniques can solve cases that remained mysteries for years. Traditional identification methods, including dental records and fingerprints, often prove insufficient when remains are severely decomposed or skeletal.
Genetic genealogy has emerged as a powerful tool in forensic investigations over the past several years. The technique gained widespread attention through its use in solving high-profile cold cases, including violent crimes and mysterious disappearances. By comparing DNA profiles to databases of individuals who have submitted their genetic information for genealogical research, investigators can identify potential family members and work backward to determine the identity of unknown individuals.
The collaboration between multiple agencies, including the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office, King County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Othram, proved essential to solving this case. Such partnerships between local law enforcement and specialized forensic laboratories have become increasingly common as jurisdictions seek to resolve long-standing mysteries and provide answers to families of missing persons.
For the community of Fossil, Oregon, where Asher spent most of his adult life, the identification brings resolution to a tragic chapter. The small town, located in central Oregon, had lost a dedicated public servant and businessman when Asher disappeared in 2006. His contributions to the community through his work with the telephone company, his variety store, and his volunteer service left a lasting impact on the area.
The case also highlights the challenges faced by coastal communities and law enforcement when individuals go missing in or near the ocean. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean, combined with strong currents and unpredictable weather, creates difficult conditions for search and recovery operations. Even when remains are eventually located, the effects of time and exposure to the marine environment can make identification extremely difficult without advanced scientific methods.
The identification of Asher nearly 20 years after his disappearance serves as a reminder that advances in forensic science continue to offer hope in cases once considered unsolvable. As DNA technology improves and genealogical databases expand, the potential to identify unknown remains and solve cold cases grows stronger. For investigators working on similar cases across the country, the successful identification of Clarence Edwin Asher demonstrates the power of persistence, collaboration, and scientific innovation in bringing resolution to families and communities affected by loss.
