Family members confirm remains found along the Skagit River belong to missing woman Krista Joy Hunt as investigators continue the case.
CONCRETE, Wash. — A family member has confirmed that the remains found this week along the Skagit River belong to a missing woman identified as Krista Joy Hunt.
Hunt’s mother, Pamela Hoyt-Hunt shared the identification publicly after deputies recovered a body during a search east of Concrete.
“Krista Hunt was identified yesterday afternoon,” Hoyt-Hunt shared Tuesday afternoon on social media.
“The cause and manner of death is under investigation,” Lieutenant Jeff Willard with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office said late Wednesday. “Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
A candlelight vigil was held in recent days as friends, family, and community members gathered to honor Krista and hold out hope during the search.
Discovery tied to ongoing investigation
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office located the remains last Thursday during a targeted search along the river near milepost 90.
Investigators said at the time the operation was connected to an active missing persons case, not a search and rescue call.
Deputies searched the area by boat before finding the body along the riverbank.
Family confirms identity
Family members later confirmed the remains are Krista, who had previously been reported missing.
“I’m still wearing the toe ring she gave me when we were 16,” Cara Kuhlmann said, a childhood friend said. “It’s a piece of her I never took off, and I never will.”
Authorities were waiting on an official identification through the coroner.
“On 3/18/2026 the Skagit County Coroner confirmed the identity of the found remains as Krista J. Hunt, 37 of Concrete Washington,” Willard reported. “Hunt was previously reported as a missing person on 2/1/26 case# 26-01235. Next of kin notification has been made by the Coroners’ office.”
Coroner working to confirm details
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office is conducting an examination to formally confirm determine cause and manner of death.
Officials will release additional details after that process is complete.
Krista’s mother said she was last seen traveling with her boyfriend when their truck reportedly ran out of gas.
“She has not been seen since,” a plea posted to social media said weeks ago. “Two days later her boyfriend shot himself at a bar in Concrete. He survived, but has not been charged in her disappearance.”
The sheriff’s office continues to work the case as part of its broader investigation. Meanwhile, Hunt’s former boyfriend Juan Manuel Delgado, Jr. sits in the Skagit County Jail on other charges.
***This story was updated to include the sheriff’s report. 3/1/8/2026 at 2:55 p.m.
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