Human remains were pulled from the Skagit River near milepost 90, just east of the town of Concrete, on Thursday, prompting authorities to shut down the area while detectives work the scene. Deputies discovered the remains during a boat search, and investigators have been combing the riverbank to collect evidence and document every detail. The Skagit County coroner will handle identification, and the public is being urged to stay away while the work continues.
According to KIRO 7, the Skagit County Sheriff's Office said deputies found the remains while searching the river by boat near milepost 90 east of Concrete. Detectives stayed on scene processing the area, and the sheriff's office told the station that more information will be released when it is available. Officials have not yet released the person's age, sex, or any details about how or when the person died.
Scene and investigation
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office will oversee identification and any follow-up forensic testing. The office notes that confirming who someone is can require coordination with state laboratories and, when remains are degraded, experts in forensic anthropology and DNA analysis, which can take weeks or even months depending on the condition of the remains and how busy the labs are. The Skagit County Coroner’s Office outlines those procedures and timelines in more detail.
Past local cases show identification can be slow
Skagit County has seen before how long these investigations can drag on. Remains discovered near Rockport in October 2024 were not publicly identified until February 2025, when the coroner confirmed they were those of Justin Spaeth, a case that required extensive forensic analysis and investigative work, as reported by My Bellingham Now. That earlier case is one reason authorities are stressing the importance of leaving the current site undisturbed so potential evidence is not lost.
What residents should know
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Skagit County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (360) 416-1911 or use the department's online contact options, according to the Skagit County Sheriff's Office. Residents should avoid the area around milepost 90 on State Route 20 while investigators are at work so the scene stays intact and any evidence remains preserved.
Investigators say more updates will be released as the inquiry moves forward, and Hoodline will monitor the case for new developments. According to KIRO 7, officials are asking for patience while the coroner completes the identification process.
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