Maureen Leianuhea "Anu" Kelly (born September 26, 1993) is an American missing person who disappeared at the age of 19 on the evening of June 9, 2013. She was last seen at Canyon Creek Campground, located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Cougar, Washington.
Maureen Kelly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Maureen Leianuhea Kelly September 26, 1993 |
| Disappeared | June 9, 2013 (aged 19) Canyon Creek Campground, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cougar, Washington, U.S. |
| Status | Missing for 11 years, 4 months and 22 days |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Anu |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
According to a group of friends who were at the campground with Kelly, she stated that she was going on a "spiritual quest" before removing her clothes and walking into the woods wearing only a fanny pack containing knives, matches, and a compass. She has not been seen or heard from since.
Background
editMaureen Leianuhea "Anu" Kelly was born on September 26, 1993.[1] At the time of her disappearance, Kelly was a resident of Vancouver, Washington.[2][3] According to undersheriff Dave Cox, Kelly had spoken about going on a "spiritual quest" for some time prior to her disappearance, and her peers felt that this was something she needed to do.[2][4]
Kelly's half-sister, Cheri Kaupu, described her as "a very laid-back, carefree girl" and "an affectionate person", stating that Kelly had called her shortly before heading into the forest to ask if she could borrow camping gear. A friend of Kelly, Amanda Ziegler, stated that she was not surprised Kelly had gone on a "spiritual quest", though she was concerned by Kelly entering the woods alone and without any clothing.
Kelly had a YouTube channel on which she would post videos of herself playing ukulele and beatboxing.[5][6] Her last video was uploaded two days before her disappearance.[7]
Disappearance
editOn June 9, 2013, Kelly had been with a group of friends at Canyon Creek Campground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest when she informed them that she was going on a "spiritual quest" and would be back by midnight. Kelly proceeded to remove her clothes, including her shoes, before walking into the woods wearing only a fanny pack containing knives, matches, and a compass.[3][8][9]
Although Kelly's friends expected her to return within a few hours,[2] she never did, and they reported her missing early the following morning.[4]
Investigation and developments
editAn extensive search for Kelly proved unsuccessful, though authorities were able to determine that she had crossed Canyon Creek and headed north toward Forest Service 54,[1] as they discovered bare footprints that appeared to match the size of Kelly's feet. K9 units were brought in to help locate Kelly.[2][4]
Authorities do not suspect foul play in Kelly's disappearance.[10] Due to the low temperatures in the area on the night of her disappearance, as well as the fact that she had not been wearing any clothes, it is believed that Kelly likely succumbed to hypothermia.[2] However, Kelly's body was never located, and her case remains unsolved.[4]
In August 2024, human remains were discovered in the forest where Kelly disappeared;[11] it is believed that the remains may be Kelly's, though this has not been confirmed.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Good, Meaghan (November 2, 2017). "Maureen Leianuhea Kelly". The Charley Project. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Officials: Missing Wash. Woman's 'Survivability Factor' at Risk". ABC News. June 11, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ a b Moran, Lee (January 10, 2019). "Naked woman, 19, who went on 'spiritual quest' in Washington forest, is missing". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Missing Person / NamUs #MP20715". National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ Lovaas, Jimmy; Cornwell, Paige; Spencer, Aaron (June 11, 2023). "Half-sister: Missing naked hiker is 'laid-back, carefree'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ "ahhnewnew". YouTube. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ ahhnewnew (June 7, 2013). "freestyle". YouTube. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Craig (June 13, 2013). "Search resuming for missing naked Vancouver hiker". The Columbian. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ "Search suspended for naked woman near Mount St. Helens". The Everett Herald. Stevenson, Washington. Associated Press. June 15, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ "Search Suspended For Naked Woman on 'Spiritual Quest'". ABC News. June 12, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ Forbes, Ahjané (August 23, 2024). "Human remains found in Washington national forest believed to be missing 2013 hiker". USA Today. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ Sumrall, Frank (August 26, 2024). "Human remains found in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, could be missing hiker from 2013". MyNorthwest.com. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
External links
edit- Maureen Leianuhea Kelly at The Charley Project
- Maureen L Kelly at the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
