Remains on Washington Beach Identified as Ex-Oregon Mayor After 20 Years
Nearly two decades have passed since human remains were discovered on a beach in central Washington. Recently, these remains were identified as belonging to former Oregon Mayor Clarence Edwin “Ed” Asher, who went missing while crabbing in 2006.
Identification of Remains
Ed Asher, 72 at the time of his disappearance, was presumed to have drowned in Tillamook Bay on September 5, 2006. Following his disappearance, on November 2006, remains were found along the beach in Taholah, which is located on the Quinault Indian Reservation.
The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office conducted a lengthy investigation. Unfortunately, the identity of the remains remained unknown for many years, leading to the moniker Grays Harbor County John Doe.
Breakthrough in Forensic Investigation
In 2025, the investigation took a significant turn. The coroner’s office collaborated with the King County Medical Examiner to send forensic evidence to a laboratory in Texas. Scientists succeeded in extracting DNA, creating a profile of the individual.
Using genetic genealogy, investigators matched the DNA with that of Ed Asher’s relatives. This innovative technology ultimately confirmed his identity as the long-missing John Doe.
Background on Ed Asher
Born on April 2, 1934, in Salem, Oregon, Ed Asher grew up in Astoria. He relocated to Fossil, Oregon, in 1952, where he worked as a lineman for the Fossil Telephone Company until his retirement in 1995. During his career, he also served as mayor of Fossil and opened Asher’s Variety Store in 1965.
Support for Forensic Genetic Genealogy
This successful identification was made possible through critical funding for forensic genetic genealogy testing, provided by Washington State Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and the state legislature. Their support underscores the importance of such funding in solving cold cases.
- 43 cases identified in Washington using advanced DNA technology.
- Individuals can contribute to ongoing investigations by joining the DNASolves database.
By expanding the available DNA data, families can reconnect with their loved ones, and unsolved cases can finally receive attention. The identification of Ed Asher marks a significant milestone in utilizing technological advancements to resolve long-standing mysteries.
