Body of Richland mom last seen Wednesday night found near Columbia River shoreline
The body of a Richland woman was found Thursday afternoon near the Columbia River.
Benton County Coroner Bill Leach confirmed the body of Cassandra “Cassie” Hansen was found on or near the shoreline.
The Richland Police Department said they cannot comment on the case because the investigation is ongoing, but said it is most likely a case of suicide and that no one is being sought in connection with her death, according to a social media post from the department.
Leach said an autopsy will be performed next week.
Hansen’s husband, Nicholas Wallace, publicly asked for help finding his wife in a Facebook post shared to the Richland Residents group.
He said his wife was missing after going for a walk by the river at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday night and was not heard from after 10 p.m.
The Richland Police Department briefly closed the area near the 1400 block of Hains at Leslie Groves Park early Thursday afternoon, citing an investigation without providing any detail.
The police department later confirmed that the investigation was connected to the missing person report for Hansen.
A vehicle matching Hansen’s 2017 Kia Sedona was reportedly discovered at the park.
Her Facebook page shows she’s an advanced emergency medical technician for Prosser Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service.
Hansen, who also goes by her married name of Cassie Wallace, was originally from Colorado Springs and studied to be an EMT at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
A friend who contacted the Herald said she also was a mother.
Hansen posted in December that she just turned 25.
This story was originally published January 4, 2024 at 4:27 PM.