Deputies still seeking answers after identifying remains found in 1980

CLARK COUNTY, Wash. — Deputies with the Clark County Sheriff's Office have identified 40-year-old skeletal remains as those of Sandy Morden.

Officials first found the remains along Fly Creek in rural Clark County on Feb. 24, 1980.

Deputies said Morden was the victim of a homicide.

Multiple facial reconstructions and media released were unsuccessful in identifying the remains.

"However, as a result of DNA and genealogy investigations, Sheriff's detectives have determined that the recovered remains are those of Sandy Morden," deputies wrote in a news release.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Sandy lived with her father, Andrew Bain "Andy" Morden in Portland after her parents were divorced in the early 1970s.

Officials said Sandy attended the following schools:

-Binnesmead Middle School (now Harrison Park Middle School) on S.E. 87th Avenue in Portland in 1974 and 1975  
-Gaiser Middle School on N.E. 99th Street in Vancouver in 1975 and 1976  
-Wilson High School on S.W. Vermont Street in Portland in 1976 and 1977

Deputies said Sandy's mother, Irene Morden, died in San Francisco in 1998. Andy Morden retired to Ilwaco, where he died in 1999.

"Sandy's whereabouts between May 1977 and February 1980 have yet to be determined," deputies said.

Now, detectives are asking for any friends, acquaintances, neighbors, co-workers, fellow veterans and classmates of Sandy Morden and her parents, particularly those who interacted with them after 1970 - to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lindsay Schultz at Lindsay.Schultz@clark.wa.gov or 360.397.2036.

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