Officials have confirmed the skeletal remains found by a kayaker on the St. Joe River in Idaho on July 5 belong to Chantal Williams, a 24-year-old mother who went missing in December 2025. The Spokane Medical Examiner's Office identified the remains through dental records.
Williams was last seen on December 12, 2025, walking in the Marble Creek area of Shoshone County, wearing a blanket. At the time of her disappearance, officials suggested she might have been experiencing a mental health crisis. Her car was later found on St. Joe River Road.
A search for Williams was initiated, employing resources such as dive teams, canine units, and drones. However, the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office announced on December 18, 2025, that their resources were exhausted and the search was called off. The family was notified and expressed gratitude for the assistance received from various agencies.
The kayaker who discovered the remains initially believed they were animal bones before realizing they were human. The remains were found in a shallow lagoon.
The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office confirmed the identification in a statement on Facebook, extending condolences to Williams' family and loved ones. They expressed gratitude for providing answers and closure to the family, and thanked the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office, the Shoshone County Coroner's Office, Search and Rescue personnel, and law enforcement partners for their dedication and assistance.
Williams, from Deer Park, Washington, was a single mother of two children, according to a now-deleted GoFundMe launched by her brother.