By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Skeletal remains and jewelry were found yesterday, possibly related to the woman missing in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest during the Rainbow gathering this summer, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
After several extensive searches in the area where 54-year-old Marie Hanson of South Lake Tahoe was last seen in early July, searchers made the discovery yesterday afternoon, according to Undersheriff Dave Cox.
“We will continue with this investigation to attempt to positively identify any remains that we locate throughout this process,” Cox stated in a news release this morning. “We are hopeful but not jumping to any conclusions at this point.
“Marie’s family have been notified of this development and are requesting that we all respect their privacy during this time.”
Investigators are on the scene today looking for any additional items of evidence and processing the scene, Cox said.
Hanson went missing during the gathering in the Skookum Meadows area, southeast of Mount St. Helens and about 30 miles north of Carson.
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Read more about Marie Hanson’s disappearance, in her hometown newspaper, here