Unresolved Disappearance of Maureen “Anu” Kelly in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

COUGAR, Washington — Search and rescue personnel and law enforcement agencies in Skamania County continue to list 19-year-old Maureen Leianuhea “Anu” Kelly as a missing person following her disappearance in June 2013.

On Sunday, June 9, 2013, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Kelly reportedly departed from a campsite near Canyon Creek Campground within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. According to companions at the campsite, Kelly indicated she was embarking on a personal spiritual quest, removed her clothing, and walked barefoot into the steep, heavily forested terrain carrying only a small fanny pack containing a knife, matches, and a compass.

When she failed to return by midnight, her companions alerted the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office. Ground searchers and specialized tracking units responded to the Canyon Creek area. Rescuers identified barefoot footprints matching Kelly’s size leading down a steep incline, across Canyon Creek, and ascending toward Forest Service Road 54. K-9 tracking units lost her trail on the paved roadway, and heavy cloud cover initially grounded aerial search operations. Overnight temperatures in the area dropped into the mid-40s Fahrenheit (7–9 °C) accompanied by light rain, creating severe exposure risks for an unclad individual.

Official Status and Investigative Findings

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office led an extensive multi-day search involving ground crews, search dogs, and volunteers covering difficult wilderness terrain.

The primary official search was suspended on June 15, 2013, after searchers found no further physical evidence, clothing, or belongings. While law enforcement officials noted that environmental exposure and hypothermia were major hazards given the weather conditions, Kelly’s official classification remains an active missing person case. Authorities have noted that human remains discovered in the general region in August 2024 underwent forensic review, but no conclusive identification linking the remains to Kelly has been established. Because no physical evidence or body has been recovered, no official cause of death or final manner of disappearance can be established as fact.

Community Status and Family Perspective

Over a decade after her disappearance, the unresolved case of the Vancouver, Washington native continues to be remembered by her family, friends, and wilderness safety advocates.

Loved ones and acquaintances have expressed differing views on her disappearance, with some suggesting she may have intended to depart the area voluntarily, while public safety officials emphasize the severe hazards presented by the rugged topography and harsh night conditions. Law enforcement authorities maintain that the case remains open, and anyone with verified information regarding Maureen Kelly’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.