Police discover bodies thought to be missing Washington state mother, daughter [Video]

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KATU) — Police say the bodies believed to be that of a Washington state woman and her daughter were found in a rural area near Washougal on Wednesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

Meshay Melendez, 27, and her 7-year-old daughter Layla Stewart were last seen Sunday, March 12.

Police believe based on identifying genetic marks, they are the bodies of Melendez and Stewart The medical examiner will determine their identities and official cause of death.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said around 9:40 a.m. someone walking their dog saw something in thick brush. Deputies discovered the two bodies.

It’s what we call a primitive road, so it’s like a single lane, which is why we’re down here and not up there,” said sheriff’s office spokesperson Sgt. Chris Skidmore from the parking lot of the offices of the Washougal School District, less than a mile from where the bodies were found. “There’s …