KCSO Closes Hannah R. Walker Case; Determines Accidental Death
“On October 12th 2022, Hannah Rose Walker was found dead in a shallow creek near Trout Lake WA. She was naked with abrasions and contusions. The last person to see her alive was Jeremy G., and older man that brought her to the creek to swim. Hannah was a strong swimmer and swam regularly, not the type to accidentally drown in calm shallow waters.” reads the Hannahrosewalker.com website , which serves as a platform to raise awareness and seek justice for Hannah.
By Cole Goodwin
Goldendale, WA, February 5, 2024 – The Klickitat County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Bob Songer, has officially closed the investigation into the death of 31-year-old Hannah R. Walker from Portland, Oregon, ruling it as an accidental drowning.
Walker's case has drawn statewide attention since her disappearance in October 2022 while swimming in Trout Lake Creek, Washington.
Walker was reported missing on the evening of October 12, 2022, around 6:50 p.m., leading to a response from Deputy Tony Warren of the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office. Despite the initial mystery surrounding her disappearance, Walker's body was soon discovered in the very creek she had gone to swim.
The death investigation was fueled by concerns from Walker’s mother who suspected her daughter had been a victim of homicide and trafficking. The Sheriff’s Office had the case open throughout 2023.
Walker’s death garnered interest from the public and has been covered in several publications including the true-crime podcast Unresolved, KGW8, OPB, and on the HannahRoseWalker.com website which aims to share case details with the public and encourage the public to demand further investigation into Hannah’s death.
Photo Gallery: Case Breakdown
A screenshot from the HannahRoseWalker.com website.
A screenshot from the HannahRoseWalker.com website.
A screenshot from the HannahRoseWalker.com website.
A screenshot from the HannahRoseWalker.com website.
In response to family and public concerns, multiple agencies have delved into the case, including the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office, Klickitat County Sheriff Detectives, The Prosecutor/Coroner's Office, the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office, the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory, and the Washington State Attorney General's Office.
"The case has been thoroughly reviewed by my staff and me, along with the Washington State Attorney General's cold case homicide investigators,” said Sheriff Songer in a press release. “Based on available information and evidence, it appears that Hannah Walker's death was accidental drowning."
While the possibility of foul play was a significant concern, authorities say they have found no evidence or probable cause to suspect criminal activity linked to Walker's death. "Though foul play cannot be ruled out completely, there is no evidence or probable cause to believe that a crime was committed," Sheriff Songer added, marking an end to the lengthy investigation.
The closure of the case brings a somber resolution to the investigation. The Klickitat County Sheriff's Office has assured the public that the investigation could be reopened if new information surfaces.
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