‘Advanced’ DNA testing has confirmed the identity of skeletal remains, which were found in Washington.
And through this, a decades-old mystery has finally been solved… Keep reading to learn more.
On September 5 in 2006, Clarence Edwin ‘Ed’ Asher went out as usual on his boat to do some crabbing in Tillamook Bay, Oregon. His family never heard from him again.
When he failed to come back home when he was expected at 3pm, his wife reported this to the Oregon State Police.
Immediately, the US Coast Guard was mobilized in a search for the missing 72-year-old. Before he retired and became an avid crabber, he was not only the lineman technician for the Fossil Telephone Company but also the former mayor of Fossil.
The coast guard sent out two utility boats, a motor lifeboat and skiff alongside multiple helicopters. It was reported that his 21-foot boat was found around half a mile from Garibaldi Marina.
The boat had live crab and two of the three buoys Asher had as well. But authorities were not able to find any life jackets. His wife repored that he would never put on the life jacket and that he was unable to swim.
The suspicion was that Asher had falled overboard but after 11 hours of searching, the Coast Guard decided to suspend its hunt the next day. It was presumed Asher had drowned and an obituary and a memorial service were held in his honor on October 14, 2006.
In November of the same year, skeletal remains washed up on a beach in the village of Taholah on the Quinault Indian Reservation in Grays Harbor County, Washington.
The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office determined that the remains belonged to an adult man between the ages of 20 and 60 years old. He measured about 5feet and 9inches and weighed 170 to 180lbs, according to reports.
The man could not, however, be identified and became known as the Grays Harbor County John Doe.
Last year, evidence was given to the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office alongside the King County Medical examiner to scientists at Othram in The Woodlands, Texas.
Scientists used advanced DNA testing called Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing on the remains and determined a comprehensive DNA profile.
Genealogy experts analysed the report, which ultimately led to the identification of the remains as belonging to Edwin Asher.
Those behind solving the mystery said, “Critical funding to enable forensic genetic genealogy testing in this case was made possible by Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and the Washington State Legislature. We are grateful for their support in providing this funding.
They also encouraged people to join their database and help solve more cases. They said, “Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can aid ongoing forensic investigations by joining the DNASolves database. Expanding the pool of available DNA data increases the likelihood of successful identifications, helping to reunite families with their missing loved ones and resolve cases that have remained unsolved for years.”
The mystery being solved after all these years hopefully brought some more comfort and close to the family of Edwin Asher. Share this with others.
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