Family aims to help women facing addiction, struggles, Athay endured

Nicole Brooks knew something was wrong when her 33-year-old daughter didn't visit her on Christmas 2024.

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Hailey Athay had struggled with drug use throughout the years, so her three children are being raised by friends and family, including Brooks.

But when Athay didn't show up with gifts for her girls that holiday, Brooks, who was born in Longview and now lives in Napavine, knew her daughter was in trouble.

Roughly a year and three months later, Brooks received the call stating her daughter's remains had been found on Weyerhaeuser property in Rose Valley, an area she had suspected since Athay's disappearance.

The recovery last week has brought relief, Brooks said, though the pain remains.

"The longer she was gone, the less hope we had that she would be returning to us alive," she said.

Now, loved ones are looking for ways to keep Athay's legacy in the forefront and find answers to her death.

Athay

Photos of Hailey Athay, 33, line a table on Friday, April 17, during her vigil at R.A. Long Park in Longview. Athay had been reported missing since January 2025.

Was Athay mushroom hunting?

Officials opened an official missing person investigation for Athay in January 2025.

Kami Whitmire, of Kelso, said she spent hundreds of hours searching for her friend on "every logging road you can think of."

Brooks combed local woods during the early days of her daughter's disappearance, too, but soon more tragedy struck. She fell during the first search, breaking her arm and leg, leaving her in a wheelchair for months.

Since Athay's disappearance, Brooks has suspected foul play.

Loved ones say Athay was going mushroom hunting before she disappeared.

Brooks now questions that narrative, given that clothes not made for the outdoors were found near the remains, she said, without providing details on the items.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office reports two local hikers found bones and clothing near Rose Valley Road and Weyerhaeuser's 1600 line, but can't provide the exact location due to the ongoing investigation.

The cause and manner of Athay's death have not yet been determined, either, according to the coroner's office.

Brooks said she believes her daughter went to the woods with others to get high.

Her daughter had used fentanyl, meth and heroin for roughly 20 years, Brooks added. When she disappeared, Athay didn't have a consistent home and "wondered," but lived in Longview for most of her life, Brooks said.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office reports several people have been interviewed about Athay's disappearance, but couldn't provide more details.

"We still have a lot of unanswered questions," Brooks said.

Candles

Lita Howard, of Kelso and to the right, passes out candles during the vigil for Hailey Athay, 33, on Friday, April 17, in Longview. Athay's remains were found last week in a wooded area of Rose Valley after she was reported missing for over a year.

Hope for staying clean

Days before Thanksgiving 2024 at a local convenience store, Lita Howard, of Kelso, said she had seen Athay, who told Howard she had been clean for 30 days after quitting cold turkey.

Howard was happy for her friend but was likely among the last to see Athay before her disappearance.

"I know one thing," she said at Athay's vigil on Friday. "I believe in God, and that's why Hailey's home."

Bianca Bazen, of Kelso, said she had known Athay for at least 15 years, after meeting in jail for separate suspected drug crimes.

Bazen, who is now clean, said Athay often talked about staying sober, too.

When Athay didn't come home that Christmas, Brooks started asking people if they'd seen her.

Previously, Brooks would post on Facebook when she couldn't reach her daughter, and she would call soon after.

"I thought that would be the case," Brooks said, "but the call never came."

PHOTOS: Hailey Athay remembered at Longview vigil

The 33-year-old was last seen in Kelso around Thanksgiving 2024.

Athay's legacy

Athay was kind, friendly and adventurous, Brooks said, but also a "little bit of a wild child." She had a contagious laugh and was always looking for the next thrill, she said.

Whitmire said her friend's kindness was evident in the way she complimented strangers and always stopped to greet people she knew.

"She didn't deserve this," Whitmire said.

Family and friends are considering creating a nonprofit in Athay's name, one that could host parenting classes or connect women with struggles similar to hers to services.

The plan is to ensure Athay's legacy lives on and that women like her receive guidance, Brooks said.

"And to help them tell a different story," she added.

How to get help

People can call or text 988 24/7 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support with mental health crises, substance use concerns, thoughts of suicide, or any other type of emotional distress.

Cowlitz County residents can also contact the area crisis line 24/7 at 360-425-6064 or 800-803-8833.

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