Body found near Yukon Harbor identified

The body of a woman found floating near Yukon Harbor last week has been identified as a King County woman last heard from in September, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

Spokesman Scott Wilson said the deceased is Shanan Lynn Read, a 33-year-old most recently living near Auburn, whom family members said last contacted them four months ago. Wilson said Read had not been officially reported missing.

On Friday, Wilson said both the cause and manner of Read’s death had not been determined, and his office is investigating the death as “suspicious.”

A boater reported seeing Read’s body floating midway between Manchester and Blake Island on Jan. 15, and it was later retrieved by deputies shortly before 4 p.m.

No identification was found on the body, and the sex was determined based on clothing.

Wilson said identification of Read was also delayed due to the state of the body, including advanced decomposition, which prevented local authorities from obtaining fingerprints.

He said assistance was sought from the Washington State Patrol’s Crime Lab in Olympia, which was ultimately able to obtain fingerprints.

“She was identified because she had been booked in King County,” Wilson said.

In addition to coordinating with King County and other agencies, he said Sheriff’s detectives are asking the public for help in the investigation, which is currently under their jurisdiction.

“It’s a real who-done-it at this point,” he said, explaining that Read’s death could very well be accidental, as well.

Anyone with any information about Read is asked to contact Detective Lori Blankenship at (360) 337-5615, or Kitsap County Central Communications (911 dispatch) at (360) 308-5400.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-CRIME-13.

Read’s physical description, according to her driver’s license, is 5-8, 130 lbs., with brown hair and eyes.

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