Clarkston, Washington. On April 16, 2010, Rachael Anderson– a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend from Clarkston, Washington– mysteriously went missing following months of stalking.

Ashley Colbert, Rachael’s daughter, watched as her mother became fearful for her life leading up to her disappearance. The stalking began in February of 2010 with incomprehensible phone calls.

In the beginning, Rachael would answer the phone, yet no one would respond. The caller also began playing muffled music through the phone as time went on.

Then, Rachael began receiving calls from numerous different phone numbers with disguised voices speaking to her on the other end.

They would repeat exactly what Rachael was doing in her home back to her– as if she was being watched like a hawk from the outside.

Rachael also noticed differences in her property, as if someone had been there. The lock on her shed was broken off, her car tires were slashed, and the back windshield was broken. She could also smell men’s cologne on her porch in the evenings.

Terrified, Rachael would often invite friends over to stay with her. While alone, Rachael slept in her living room with the lights on.

She filed various police reports throughout this time and began working with a detective who would check in on her daily.

Facebook; pictured above is Rachael

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Then, the day came. On April 10, Rachael traveled to Moscow, Idaho. Her family knew she was supposed to meet with the detectives regarding the stalking and harassment.

Rachael had even compiled a cohort of evidence to present to the police. The day came and went, but Rachael never returned home.

Ashley and the rest of her family tried to contact Rachael with no success. Rachael’s two daughters filed the initial disappearance report, and the police located her vehicle on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at a gas station. Still, Rachael and her compilation of evidence were nowhere to be found.

“My mother is a strong, intelligent, vivacious woman who everyone loves and misses dearly. She has two young sons who live with her and are heartbroken by her disappearance. We all need her home safely. Please help us in our search,” Ashely plead on Facebook.

She had created a Facebook group for her mother and worked tirelessly to spread the word about her case.

Over the years, people have used this group as a platform to voice their love for Rachael and her family. “Your mom is still in my daily prayers,” wrote Lisa Riley-Snyder on January 11, 2012.

“We will always miss you, Rachael, and you will forever be in our hearts,” wrote Darlene Conditt on June 11, 2012.

One Facebook group member wrote that the years seemed to drag by with no real news on Rachael’s disappearance.

Until, finally, information began coming to light.

Facebook; pictured above Rachael smiles

In September of 2009, Rachael and a man named Charles Capone got married. Rachael’s daughter knew their relationship to be abusive and, in December of 2009, Charles was even charged with second-degree assault after allegedly choking Rachael.

Rachael finally filed for divorce after three short months of marriage, and after the separation, she began receiving the threatening phone calls.

Charles had owned a car repair shop in Moscow, Idaho, called Palouse Multiple Services. Charles alleged that he was working on Rachael’s car on April 16, 2010, before she went missing.

After her disappearance, the police interviewed Charles, and he admitted to being behind the eery phone calls. Still, this was not enough to tie him to her disappearance.

That was until May 6, 2010, when Charles was arrested for a federal firearm violation. While the charge was not related to Rachael’s case, Charles revealed his involvement in her disappearance to inmates Brent Glass and Joshua Voss while incarcerated for thirty-three months.

The police investigated for another three years before May 1, 2013, when Charles and David Stone were finally charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and failure to notify a coroner or law enforcement officer about a death.

At trial, Stone testified against Charles and recalled what occurred at Charles’s repair shop. Charles went outside to speak with Rachael and David later heard a loud noise. He went outside and saw Charles strangling Rachael.

Facebook; pictured above is another photo of Rachael

According to the Supreme Court of the state of Idaho records, “Anderson was still moving and Stone asked Capone what he was doing. Capone instructed Stone to get a tarp. Stone went inside and searched for the tarp. When he came back out, Anderson was dead. Stone testified that he and Capone wrapped Anderson’s body in the tarp and a chain and drove to Lewiston, where they threw her body into the river from a bridge.”

On September 17, 2014, the jury found Charles Capone guilty on all charges, and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The justice process was long and grueling for Rachael, her family, and their community. Still, Rachael’s friends and family were thankful to receive closure.

“I am so glad they found him guilty. Although it won’t bring Rachael back, it won’t give her kids hugs and kisses or her grand baby’s grandma’s love, but it will bring some measure of peace. May he rot in hell for all of eternity,” wrote Janice Hooper Tucker on September 17, 2014.

“I remember meeting Rachael while I was in high school. I was friends and teammates with Ashley and Amber. I remember how charismatic and kind-hearted she was. She was always loads of fun to be around. It really hurt my heart to hear she was missing. To this day, I am still in a state of disbelief. I know it does not bring any of you any real comfort, but at least Capone will never enjoy life again. He will live in a state of self-inflicted torture inside that cell. And, Rachael can finally rest in peace,” wrote Diana Marie on September 18, 2014.

Jennifer Shane, one of the Facebook group’s administrators who had been updating the community tirelessly, also spoke to Rachael that day.

“Victory! We did it, my dearest friend. Justice. My heart misses you each and every day. This lightens the burden that we have all carried for the last four and a half years,” wrote Jennifer Shane on September 18, 2014.

Since 2014, the Facebook group has remained active. The community still thinks of Rachael daily and often writes to share memories or wish her family the best. Rachael loved everyone to the fullest, and her loss will forever mar the community.