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Missing Oregon Mayor's Remains Identified After 19 Years

1/14/2026

50 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Clarence Edwin "Ed" Asher, former mayor of Fossil, Oregon, was identified in 2025 as the skeleton found on a Washington State beach.
He disappeared during a 2006 fishing trip and was 72, with authorities saying he did not wear a lifejacket and could not swim.
Remains were found in Taholah, Washington, and linked to him in 2025 by DNA analysis.
Asher worked nearly 50 years at the Fossil Telephone Company.

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Story summary

Clarence Edwin "Ed" Asher, former mayor of Fossil, Oregon, was identified in 2025 as the skeleton found on a Washington State beach.
He disappeared during a 2006 fishing trip and was 72, with authorities saying he did not wear a lifejacket and could not swim.
Remains were found in Taholah, Washington, and linked to him in 2025 by DNA analysis.
Asher worked nearly 50 years at the Fossil Telephone Company.