At a Glance
- Human remains found Dec. 22, 2025, identified as Michael Shawn Garcia, missing since July 2016
- Discovery made by citizen walking dog along South Palouse River Road near Colfax, Washington
- Cause of death undetermined due to advanced decomposition after nine years
- Why it matters: Long-unresolved missing person case now has closure for family, though circumstances remain under investigation
A Washington man who vanished nearly a decade ago has been identified through human remains discovered just days before Christmas, according to authorities.
The remains were found along South Palouse River Road, approximately two-thirds of a mile outside Colfax, by a citizen walking their dog around 3 a.m. on December 22, 2025. Officers from the Colfax Police Department and Whitman County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and transferred the remains to the Whitman County Coroner for identification.
Identification Confirmed
The remains have been positively identified as Michael Shawn Garcia, a Colfax resident who disappeared in July 2016. Garcia was last seen on the evening of July 6, 2016, making a purchase at a local grocery store, identified by CBS affiliate KREM as Rosauer’s.
His disappearance occurred just two weeks before his 48th birthday on July 20, according to Chief Michael G. Melcher of the Colfax Police Department.
The case had been classified as suspicious since March 2025, when the Colfax Police Department determined the circumstances surrounding Garcia’s disappearance warranted further scrutiny. At that time, his case was being reviewed as part of the Washington Attorney General’s Office Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) Cold Case Unit.
Investigation Challenges
Officials face significant obstacles in determining what happened to Garcia. Due to the advanced state of decomposition and the passage of time, authorities have been unable to establish a cause or manner of death.
The investigation remains active, with law enforcement seeking additional information from the public. Anyone with knowledge about Garcia’s disappearance or death is urged to contact:
- Investigator Carlos Trevino: 509-724-9387
- Chief Mike Melcher: 509-397-4615
Garcia’s case highlights the ongoing efforts by Washington state officials to address cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people, though his specific tribal affiliation was not mentioned in the investigation details.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2016 | Garcia last seen at Rosauer’s grocery store |
| July 20, 2016 | Garcia’s 48th birthday passes while missing |
| March 2025 | Case classified as “suspicious” by CPD |
| December 22, 2025 | Human remains discovered along South Palouse River Road |
| January 2026 | Remains identified as Garcia |
The discovery brings a measure of closure to a case that has remained unresolved for over nine years, though many questions about Garcia’s final days remain unanswered.
Key Takeaways:
- Michael Shawn Garcia’s remains were found after nine years, providing closure to a long-standing missing person case
- The cause of death remains undetermined due to decomposition
- The investigation is ongoing, with authorities requesting public assistance
- The case was previously part of Washington’s MMIWP Cold Case Unit efforts
