Ashley Phillips, 30, disappeared during a hike in Costa Rica on Wednesday, June 3. The California native is believed to have encountered a devastating storm along the trail, and her whereabouts remained a mystery ever since. After weeks without answers in what her family described as their “worst nightmare,” the search may have reached a tragic conclusion, as Costa Rican authorities reportedly discovered a body along the hiking route.
Initially, there was no confirmation that the body found in a river in Barú de Pérez Zeledón was actually Phillips’. According to the California Post, the family was taking some solace in the possibility of finally bringing her home. Earlier in the search, Costa Rican authorities had already warned that they believed Phillips’ disappearance was likely the result of a “water-related accident.”
Phillips’ last known location was in the Barú district, and it took four days before she was reported missing to local authorities. People reached out to the Donald Trump administration to ask whether the U.S. government was working with Costa Rican officials to provide Phillips’ family with long-awaited answers. The State Department acknowledged “reports of a missing American in Costa Rica” before adding, “The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans.”
Phillips’ family later set up a GoFundMe account asking supporters to stand with them during the difficult period. The statement on the platform partly read, “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 statement continued, “Thank you for standing with this family during such an incredibly difficult time. Your support means more than words can express.”
The family said that all money raised on the platform would go toward supporting the volunteers who dedicated their efforts to searching for Phillips in the immediate aftermath of her disappearance. So far, they have reached 83% of their goal, with just over $20,000 raised toward a $25,000 target.
It was initially difficult to conduct the search because, during the first 10 days after Phillips went missing on the hike, weather conditions prevented search teams from entering the area. At the time, the family shared an update that 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.”
Reportedly, Phillips had described her trip to Costa Rica as a restorative stay at Heaven On Mother Earth (HOME) Farms in the Diamanté Valley. According to the organization’s website, its retreats are aimed at building community “through land-based living, education, healing arts, ecological stewardship, and regenerative enterprise.” The facility is located on 55 acres near the Nauyaca waterfalls.
The family later confirmed that the body was indeed Phillips, officially ending the search that brought together the efforts of the Costa Rican government, the U.S. government, volunteers, and countless well-wishers.
Published: Jun 21, 2026 02:26 pm