Skeletal Remains Found on Beach Identified as Former Mayor Who Vanished 20 Years Ago and Was Declared Legally Dead

Authorities say skeletal remains discovered on a Washington State beach nearly two decades ago have been identified as a former mayor from Oregon.

In a Tuesday, Jan. 13 news release, the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office and the King County Medical Examiner’s Office announced that the remains belong to Clarence Edwin Asher, 72, who previously served as the mayor of Fossil.

According to the coroner’s office, Asher was declared legally dead and presumed to have drowned after he vanished while crabbing in Oregon’s Tillamook Bay on Sept. 5, 2006.

That November, skeletal remains were found on a beach in Taholah, an unincorporated village on the Quinault Indian Reservation, the coroner’s office said.

After responding to the scene and collecting evidence, investigators concluded the remains were those of an adult male believed to be between 20 and 60 years old, likely around 5′ 9″, and weighing about 170 to 180 pounds.

At the time, however, the person could not be identified. The case was listed as “Grays Harbor County John Doe (2006).”

Last year, the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office and the King County Medical Examiner’s Office sent forensic evidence to private DNA laboratory Othram to determine whether advanced testing could help identify the individual.

“Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man,” the company said in a statement. “Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.”

With those new leads, authorities conducted follow-up work and reached out to potential relatives, officials said.

A relative provided a DNA sample, which was compared with the existing profile. Investigators then confirmed a positive identification: Clarence Edwin Asher.

According to a 2006 obituary, Asher was born in Salem, Oregon, and raised in Astoria. He later moved to Fossil with his first wife and worked as a lineman technician for the Fossil Telephone Company, retiring in 1995.

Beyond serving as mayor, Asher also volunteered as a local firefighter and ambulance driver and served on both the ambulance and museum boards.

“Loves in Ed’s life included his wife of over 20 years, Helen, their large family, antique cars, fishing, boating, hunting, black labs, cooking and RVing,” the obituary said.

At the time of his death, Asher was survived by his wife; three children from previous marriages; two stepsons; and 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, according to the obituary.

Officials said the identification of Asher marks the 43rd case in Washington State in which authorities have identified a person using Othram’s technology.