Skeletal Remains of Missing Woman Found by Hikers Over a Year Later

Hailey Athay's family last saw her in November 2024 before she went missing.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:55pm by

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bone fragment against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The discovery of a missing woman's skeletal remains over a year after her disappearance exposes the challenges law enforcement faces in cold cases.Portland Today

The skeletal remains of Hailey E. Athay, a 33-year-old woman who went missing in Washington over a year ago, were found by hikers earlier this week. Athay's family had reported her missing on January 3, 2025, claiming they last saw her in Kelso, Washington in November 2024. After nearly a year and a half, residents hiking in the area came across clothing and bones, leading to the discovery of Athay's nearly complete skeletal remains and personal belongings.

Why it matters

The discovery of Athay's remains over a year after her disappearance provides some closure for her family, but also raises questions about the circumstances surrounding her death and the length of time it took to locate her. Her case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in missing persons investigations, especially when there are no immediate leads or witnesses.

The details

On April 12, 2026, hikers in Kelso, Washington came across clothing and a pair of bones, which they reported to authorities. The following day, one of the hikers led a search party to the area, where nearly complete skeletal remains were found, along with multiple items of Athay's clothing and personal belongings. A forensic investigator confirmed the remains belonged to Hailey Athay using dental records. The area where Athay's remains were recovered had previously been noted as an 'area of interest' in her disappearance, but police did not provide further details.

  • Hailey Athay was last seen by her family in November 2024.
  • Athay was reported missing by her family on January 3, 2025.
  • Hikers discovered Athay's remains on April 12, 2026.
  • A search party located the nearly complete skeletal remains the following day on April 13, 2026.

The players

Hailey E. Athay

A 33-year-old woman who went missing in November 2024 and whose skeletal remains were discovered over a year later by hikers in Kelso, Washington.

Nicole Brooks

Hailey Athay's mother, who spoke with a news outlet in Oregon and said Athay had three daughters who had been in the care of family and friends since her disappearance.

Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that received the initial missing persons report for Hailey Athay and announced the discovery of her remains.

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What they’re saying

“It's not that it was unexpected that this would be the outcome, but it certainly isn't what we wanted in our hearts.”

— Nicole Brooks, Hailey Athay's mother

What’s next

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office stated that the investigation into Hailey Athay's death is ongoing, and her remains have been turned over to the county coroner's office to determine the cause of death.

The takeaway

The discovery of Hailey Athay's remains over a year after her disappearance provides some closure for her family, but also highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in missing persons cases, especially when there are no immediate leads or witnesses. Her case underscores the importance of continued investigation and the need for resources to support families of missing persons during these difficult and uncertain times.