Body found in Cowlitz River believed to be that of missing Centralia mom of 3



CENTRALIA, Wash. -- The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said two fishermen found a body in the Cowlitz River Tuesday that detectives believe is that of missing Centralia mom Elizabeth Pham.

The sheriff's office said the men reported they were fishing and were turning their boat around when they spotted the body approximately 1/8 of a mile southwest of Lacamas Creek, which flows into the Cowlitz River near Vader, Wash.

"The body is that of a female. The clothing on the body matches the clothing Elizabeth Pham was last seen wearing on Saturday, October 10th, when she went missing," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

The body was found is approximately 2 miles downriver from the area in which Pham was last seen.

“This is a sad day. I think everyone was hopeful Elizabeth would eventually be located alive. Our thoughts are with Elizabeth’s family and friends”, said Sheriff Robert Snaza.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. The sheriff's office said the active will remain active.

Pham is a 33-year-old mother of three.

Elizabeth Pham's car was found unlocked with the keys inside on southbound I-5 near Toledo.

Her family feared she might be suffering from postpartum depression. Individuals who spotted Pham last said she exhibited "unusual and confused" behaviors, sheriff's deputies said.

Lewis County sheriff's deputies released an updated timeline of Pham's last known locations . Investigators believe Pham left her vehicle on I-5 on Saturday morning, Oct. 10, then walked to GeeCees Truck Stop where she attempted to get a ride with a truck driver who was heading to Redding, Calif. An employee of GeeCees stopped her from getting into the truck, deputies said, and called a taxi for her.

Once the taxi arrived, Pham reportedly asked the driver to take her to Olympia. On their way, the taxi driver stopped at her abandoned vehicle to allow her to obtain a few personal items.

The taxi driver dropped her off at Exit 59 north of Castle Rock, and Pham reportedly went into a Shell station but didn't buy anything. She also reportedly walked into Beasley's restaurant, where she placed an order.

Witnesses told sheriff's deputies that a woman matching Pham's description was seen sitting under the overpass at exit 59 later Saturday, staring into the Cowlitz River. That was the last time witnesses reported spotting her.