In One Ear: Forensics rule

Published 6:00 am Thursday, January 22, 2026

The mystery identity of skeletal human remains that washed ashore on a Washington beach 20 years ago has finally been solved, according to a story in People magazine. They were found on a beach in Taholah, Washington, an unincorporated village in the Quinault Reservation, about 30 miles north of Ocean Shores.

All that could be ascertained at the time was that it was an adult male, and his probable height and weight. Named Grays Harbor County John Doe (2006), the remains were saved in hopes of future identification. 

Last year the forensic evidence from the case was sent to a private DNA laboratory, Othram, in the Woodlands, Texas, by the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office and the King County Medical Examiner. 

Othram said it “successfully developed a DNA extract,” then used “Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man.” The follow-up DNA investigation led to his relatives, and from there, to the man himself. 

The remains belong to Clarence Edwin “Ed” Asher, 72, who was raised in Astoria, and went on to become the mayor of Fossil, Oregon. He was out crabbing on Tillamook Bay when he vanished on Sept. 5, 2006, according to his obituary. Presumed drowned, he was declared legally dead. 

And there you have it. Another mystery solved. It’s the 43rd unidentified remains case in Washington that Othram-developed technology has helped identify. (Photos: Google Maps/Othram)