Remains of missing mother found Saturday

The remains of the 33-year-old mother of four Ashley Miller Carlson, who had been missing since Sept. 23, were found Saturday.

Carlson was last seen near the Lake Lena community, on the Mille Lacs Band’s reservation. Two months later, after spending the day on scene, law enforcement found her remains there, according to a press release.

Her cause of death has yet to be determined, as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

“This is a sad day our family hoped would not come, and there are still many questions that need answers, but the important thing is we now have Ashley,” said Krista Struck, Ashley’s mother. “Our family received incredible support from the community these past many weeks, and we thank them, the Christian Aid Ministries volunteer search and rescue team, the many involved law enforcement agencies and Applied Professional Services for helping locate Ashley.”

APS, the Duluth-based investigation firm, got more than 70 calls to its tip line and said many were "valuable" in helping find Carlson.

Carlson was from the Grantsburg, Wisconsin area. Her rental car was found partially submerged in Grace Lake the day after she went missing, according to law enforcement. Inside there were personal belongings, but police confirmed she did not have a cell phone on her person.

Family said it was unusual to not hear from Carlson.

"As a family, we are devastated, angry, frustrated and everything in between," Carrie Miller shared on Facebook Sunday. "Yet, we did it, we did #BringAshleyHome which is what we set out to do. It brings us comfort and relief knowing she is back where she belongs, with her mom, her 4 kids and her family that love her beyond any words can describe."

The Burnett County Sheriff’s Office, Pine County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the FBI and other volunteer and professional groups all aided in the investigation.