Allyson Watterson: Oregon homeowner finds possible remains of woman who went missing during hike with boyfriend
Authorities in Oregon believe that they have found the remains of a 20-year-old woman who had disappeared three days before Christmas after she and her boyfriend got separated while they were hiking in the woods. The Washington County Sheriff's deputies had been called to a rural area located in North Plains at around 5 pm on Saturday, June 20 after a property owner found some human remains while clearing brush. Investigators believe that the remains belong to Allyson Joy Watterson whose family has been notified, Daily Mail reports.
The investigators are looking to spend Sunday, June 21, searching through the area to look for any other evidence. Allyson's remains were found recently after her mother shared a very heartfelt message on her Facebook page. On Friday, June 19, Allyson's mother, Misty Watterson said, "This is my beautiful, amazing courageous incredible daughter. The day she was taken out of my life will forever be the worst darkest day any mother could experience. To whom is responsible for taking my daughter out of my life I want you to know that you took my life my breath my soul my everything has been ripped away from me and my life and those lives around me that love and adore this child will forever be dark until she comes home to us," the post read.
"They say that time heals all wounds and I’m here to tell you that it’s just not true the time actually makes it more dark than you can even imagine. To whomever is responsible for taking my child out of my life I want you to know that I will never stop looking for her I want you to know that she has the biggest most powerful and loving army of people behind her and we will never stop searching for her," the post continued. Police had started to search for the missing 20-year-old on December 23, 2019, when the police received reports of a missing woman close to a wooded area in North Plains. A while after Allyson went missing, her boyfriend Benjamin Hunter Garland was arrested on unrelated charges. He is currently in custody at the Washington County Jail.
Garland was sentenced to serve three years in prison in April after he pleaded guilty to several charges which include unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card and second-degree theft. He also had his probation rebuked over charges of unlawful use of a weapon, attempted coercion, and fourth-degree assault. Allyson was last seen alive on December 22 during the day when she was hiking with her 21-year-old boyfriend. Garland who has been cooperating with the police in the case of Allyson's disappearance said that the two had got separated during the hike. He shared that he was able to find his way out of the area. As per police, Allyson's family has not been heard from her since the morning of December 20. While speaking to Fox 12, Allyson's aunt Macy said, "Allyson is a free spirit, kind of your true definition of like, hippie. She’s our girl."