While Camping With Friends In 2013, She Took Off Her Clothes, Wandered Into The Forest To Go On A Spiritual Quest, And Has Remained Missing Ever Since
Born on September 26, 1993, Maureen Kelly grew up in Vancouver, Washington, with her mother and two brothers. As a teenager, she went on to attend both Lewis and Clark High School and Hudson’s Bay High School.
However, by the time she was just 19-years-old in 2013, Maureen mysteriously disappeared in a perplexing case that remains unsolved to this day.
It all began on June 9, 2013, when she and a group of friends decided to go camping at Canyon Creek Campground – which is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
But, at about 5:00 p.m. that Sunday, things went sideways. Maureen reportedly took off her clothing and told her friends that she planned to go on a “spiritual quest.” Then, she proceeded to leave the campsite with no clothes or shoes on.
Maureen wandered into the woods with just a fanny pack, which was thought to have her compass, a knife, and some matches inside.
At the time, she reportedly didn’t tell her friends when she planned to go back to the campsite, but they assumed she’d return within a couple of hours.
Yet, Maureen never made it back, and she hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Once it passed midnight on June 10, 2013, her friends grew increasingly worried and contacted the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office to report her missing.
Missing rescue volunteers began executing searches of the Canyon Creek area that same day. But the forecast had thick cloud covering, which prevented helicopters from aerially searching the area.
Facebook – pictured above is Maureen
Eventually, bare footprints that seemed similarly sized to Maureen’s feet were discovered by rescuers.
By following the tracks, which were fainter than footprints left by shoes, it was concluded that Maureen probably crossed Canyon Creek before heading to a north road known as Forest Service 54.
At the paved road, though, the footprints halted, and canine units were not able to detect a trace. So, it is unclear where Maureen went from there.
The evening that Maureen vanished, there was also a significant weather change – with temperatures falling from the mid-70s to the mid-40s and a drizzle in the region. Since she did not have any clothing on, the risk of hypothermia was a concern among police.
Despite the extensive search of the Canyon Creek region, though, authorities never found any evidence linked to Maureen’s case or any indicators of foul play. Investigators have also received no new leads regarding her whereabouts.
So, her remains were never found, and her case has remained unsolved for over 11 years.
At the time she vanished, Maureen was five foot seven, weighed between 150 and 160 pounds, and had black hair and brown eyes.
If you have any information regarding her case, you are urged to contact the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office at (509) 427-9490.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:True Crime