Summary
In November 2006, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found on a beach in Taholah, an unincorporated village on the Quinault Indian Reservation, in Grays Harbor County, Washington. Grays Harbor County is on the Pacific coast of Washington near Seattle. The Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. They determined the remains were an adult man, likely aged 20 to 60 years old or older. The man was about 5' 9" tall and weighed an estimated 170 to 180 lbs.
Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Grays Harbor County John Doe (2006). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP139985.
In 2025, the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office, collaborating with the King County Medical Examiner, submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Scientists at Othram determined if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. 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. 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.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, which led investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Clarence Edwin "Ed" Asher, born April 2, 1934.
Ed Asher was declared legally dead in 2006 after he was presumed to have drowned while crabbing in Tillamook Bay on September 5, 2006. Born and raised in Oregon, he opened the Asher's Variety Store in Fossil, Oregon in 1965 and worked as a lineman for the Fossil Telephone Company before retiring in 1995. He was also a past mayor of Fossil. He was 72 years old when he died.
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 so grateful for their support in providing this funding.
The identification of Ed Asher represents the 43rd case in the State of Washington where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Washington cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.
Dan Miller
Director of Customer Service
Dan guides law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally through every step of the forensic process—from crime scene to courtroom. He ensures investigators have the support and resources they need to navigate advanced DNA testing and maximize the impact of forensic evidence in their cases.