In early 2002, a small Oregon community was thrust into a nightmare that no family or neighbor could have imagined. Within just a few months, two young friends—12-year-old Ashley Pond and 13-year-old Miranda Gaddis—vanished without a trace from the same neighborhood in Oregon City. Their disappearances rattled not only their families but also an entire town, leaving behind a haunting reminder of how quickly life can change.
A Quiet Street Shattered
Ashley was the first to go missing. On a January morning, she set out for school but never arrived. Her absence was initially thought to be a runaway case, but soon police realized something much darker had taken place.
Just two months later, Miranda, Ashley’s close friend, also disappeared while walking to catch the school bus. The similarities in both cases—the same neighborhood, the same age group, the same routines—sent shockwaves through Oregon City. Parents suddenly escorted their children to school. Doors were locked earlier. Ordinary routines became filled with fear.
Also Read
A Community in Fear
The search for the girls dominated headlines and nightly news. Flyers blanketed telephone poles and storefront windows. Volunteers and officers combed fields, woods, and abandoned buildings, hoping to find a clue that could explain what happened.
The town’s sense of security collapsed. Many residents described a constant unease, a worry that the perpetrator might be someone they knew. In fact, suspicion grew sharper as investigators focused on those closest to the girls.
A Chilling Discovery
In August 2002, the community received the tragic news it had feared most. The remains of both girls were discovered on the property of Ward Weaver, a man who lived just a few doors away from the victims. Weaver, already known to authorities for past violent behavior, had been a suspect. But the confirmation of his involvement stunned even seasoned investigators.
The revelation was broadcast live on television, with helicopters circling overhead as forensic teams worked at Weaver’s home. The disturbing scenes played out in real time, leaving Oregon City residents glued to their screens in horror.
The Legacy of a Case That Changed a Town
For the families of Ashley and Miranda, the loss was immeasurable. For the community, the case became a chilling reminder of how tragedy can strike in familiar places. The neighborhood, once defined by its quiet suburban streets, would forever be marked by the memory of two vibrant girls whose lives were cut short.
Two decades later, their story continues to resonate as one of Oregon’s most heartbreaking cases. It sparked conversations about child safety, neighborhood vigilance, and the hidden dangers that can exist behind closed doors.
Revisiting the Case
Today, their story is revisited in true-crime explorations such as “The Mysterious Disappearance Of…” produced by Autumn Calica. Each episode takes viewers back into the heart of America’s most gripping missing persons cases, piecing together timelines, interviews, and investigative reporting to better understand what happened and why.
For Oregon City, the memories of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis remain painful but enduring—a reminder of innocence lost, and of a town forever changed by two devastating disappearances.
