A death investigation is underway after human remains were found Wednesday in a wooded area near the 7700 block of 176th Street East in Frederickson, Washington. The remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, and investigators had not identified the person, according to FOX 13 Seattle.
Pierce County deputies responded to a report of human remains in the area and confirmed that what was found was, in fact, human, according to FOX 13 Seattle, which cited the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. That confirmation set off a formal death investigation in a wooded area of Frederickson, Pierce County.
Deputies remained in the area as investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence, the station reported. The remains were not immediately identifiable, and the circumstances of the death had not been established.
Medical Examiner to Determine Identity, Cause of Death
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office will work to identify the person and determine the cause of death, according to the same account. The cause and manner of death had not been determined at the time of the report.
The investigation was described as active and ongoing. Officials had not released further details about how the remains were discovered or how long they may have been in the area.
In a separate case, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said remains found in January 2026 in a wooded area of JBLM near Spanaway were identified as Aidan Spear, who was the subject of a 2022 missing-person case. That case is distinct from the Frederickson discovery.
No additional information about the person's identity or the circumstances surrounding the death had been made public at the time of the report.
