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 the Canyon Creek Campground, located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County, Washington.
Maureen Kelly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 26, 1993 |
| Disappeared | June 9, 2013 (aged 19) Canyon Creek Campground, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Skamania County, Washington, U.S. |
| Status | Missing for 10 years and 10 months |
| 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 edit
Maureen Leianuhea "Anu" Kelly was born on September 26, 1993.[1] According to an undersheriff, Kelly had spoken about going on a "spiritual quest" for some time prior to her disappearance, and her peers felt this was something she needed to do.[2]
Cheri Kaupu, Kelly's half-sister, 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.[3]
Disappearance edit
On June 9, 2013, Kelly had been with a group of friends at Canyon Creek Campground in the 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 shoes and clothes before walking into the woods wearing only a fanny pack containing knives, matches, and a compass.[4][5][6]
According to the Skamania County Sheriff's Department, Kelly's friends reported her missing early the following morning when she failed to return.[1]
Investigation and developments edit
An 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, as they discovered bare footprints that appeared to match the size of Kelly's feet. K9 units were also brought in to help locate Kelly.[2]
Authorities do not suspect foul play in Kelly's disappearance.[7] Due to the low temperatures in the area on the night of her disappearance, along with the fact that she had not been wearing any clothes, it is believed that Kelly likely succumbed to hypothermia. However, Kelly's body was never located, and her case remains unsolved.[1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Maureen Leianuhea Kelly". The Charley Project. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Officials: Missing Wash. Woman's 'Survivability Factor' at Risk". ABC News. June 11, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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. June 15, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ "Search Suspended For Naked Woman on 'Spiritual Quest'". ABC News. June 12, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
External links edit
- Maureen Leianuhea Kelly at The Charley Project
- Maureen L Kelly at the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
