Horrifying Discovery: Body Pulled From River in Desperate Search for Missing California Woman Who Vanished on Costa Rica Hiking Trail During Deadly Flash Floods
A body has been found in the area where a California woman went missing in Costa Rica.
Ashley Phillips, 30, disappeared after setting out on a hiking trail while a devastating storm struck the region.
Authorities have not yet confirmed that the body is Phillips. Video footage showed rescuers wearing harnesses recovering a body from a river in the country.
Her family is devastated by the development but takes some comfort in knowing that her potential remains may be brought home. Costa Rican authorities had previously told them it was likely that she had been involved in a “water-related accident.”
Phillips has been missing for more than two weeks. Search efforts were initially underway but were temporarily suspended due to severe weather conditions before later resuming.
A GoFundMe campaign launched on June 9 stated: “For the past seven days, the Jonkey and Phillips family have been living through every parent’s and sibling’s worst nightmare.
“Their beloved daughter and sister, Ashley Phillips, has been missing in Costa Rica after severe weather caused flooding and mudslides during a hike.”
The fundraiser, which has a goal of $20,000, had raised more than $18,000 as of Thursday.
In another update posted on June 12, the family marked 10 days since her disappearance and noted that ongoing weather conditions had complicated search efforts.
The update read: “Today marks 10 days since Ashley went on a hike and did not return. Due to ongoing severe weather conditions in Costa Rica, the search efforts have been temporarily paused.”
It added: “However, the search is expected to resume once conditions improve and the drier season begins.”
Her father, Jeffrey Phillips, said Ashley was staying in an “isolated area” where emergency services were limited. He said she appeared happy and had recently spoken to him about a small baby pineapple growing on a pineapple plant.
Ashley Phillips had traveled to HOME Farm — which stands for “Heaven On Mother Earth” — in Costa Rica’s Diamanté Valley for what was intended to be a restorative stay. The regenerative sanctuary is located in the heart of the rainforest, spans 55 acres of lush tropical jungle, and sits above the Nauyaca waterfalls.
