Distraught Father Recounts Final Call Before Daughter’s Disappearance

The last known movements of a California woman who vanished during a yoga retreat in Costa Rica have come to light. Ashley Phillips, 30, was on a three-month trip in the Central American nation, seeking a deep immersion in yoga and nature, according to her father, Jeffrey Phillips.

Phillips was last seen on June 3, embarking on her daily routine. Her father described his anguish as the search for his daughter extends past two weeks. He explained that Ashley had a consistent morning ritual: waking up, eating breakfast, and then walking approximately five minutes to a secluded waterfall for solitary yoga practice. A fellow retreat attendee was the last person to witness her heading towards the waterfall that fateful day.

Jeffrey Phillips characterized the area where his daughter disappeared as remote, with concerns about both dangerous individuals and wildlife. The day prior to her vanishing, he spoke with Ashley by phone and reported that she sounded entirely normal. “We talked about her morning and she sent me a picture of a little baby pineapple that was growing on a pineapple bush,” her heartbroken father recalled. “Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, she seemed happy and starting her morning.”

Conflicting Reports Emerge in Disappearance Investigation

Jeffrey Phillips and his family have been left with a dearth of information regarding their daughter’s whereabouts. Ashley had been in Costa Rica for three months, engaging in yoga and experiencing the natural surroundings. This was not her first visit to the country, as she had traveled there twice before.

On Monday, officials from Costa Rica’s Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) suggested to Jeffrey Phillips that his daughter may have been involved in a water-related accident. He also shared a concerning video depicting a flash flood overwhelming a waterfall near where Ashley was last seen. The family, residing in Santa Clarita, has received minimal updates on the investigation into Ashley’s perplexing case.

Initially, Ashley’s brother, Justin Phillips, received conflicting communications from Costa Rican authorities. An initial email from the OIJ indicated a disappearance investigation related to Ashley. However, a subsequent message suggested the case was being treated as a “crime with physical evidence.” When Jeffrey inquired about this alleged evidence, his family reportedly received no further response. Instead, another email was sent, retracting the previous one and reverting to the explanation of a disappearance probe.

When Jeffrey questioned the alleged evidence on Monday, police informed him that there was none “leading to a crime.”

Concerns Grow Over Remote Location and Search Efforts

It was not until June 4, the day after she was last seen, that alarms were raised at the hostel regarding Ashley’s absence. Jeffrey Phillips was not notified of her disappearance until June 6.

Ashley was staying at Home Farm Heaven on Mother Earth, described on its website as a “regenerative sanctuary and educational center located in the heart of Costa Rica’s Diamanté Valley.” Jeffrey described the location as a “very isolated area like a farm. A very rural area.” The retreat’s website indicates it offers both short and long-term residency options.

Following the discovery of Ashley’s absence from her room, a 911 call was placed. However, the Red Cross responded, not the police, according to Jeffrey. He noted the extreme remoteness of the area, stating, “There are no services at all, 911 does not even go to an emergency or government agency you are on your own.”

Ashley reportedly left her phone behind to charge. When it was later found, it was unlocked. The family is aware that the region has been experiencing severe flash flooding, heavy rainfall, and landslides. A GoFundMe page established after Ashley’s disappearance states that the search efforts have been “temporarily paused” due to adverse weather conditions. A family friend indicated that the search would resume once weather permits, but the country is currently in its rainy season.

Jeffrey Phillips’ primary objective is to obtain definitive answers regarding his daughter’s fate and to ensure her safe return. He has expressed skepticism regarding reports that severe weather was the sole cause of Ashley’s disappearance.

Family Faces Hurdles in Seeking Information and Travel

Ashley’s sister, Amanda, and their mother are attempting to travel to Costa Rica, but weather conditions are significantly hindering their plans. Jeffrey stated that his attempts to contact the US embassy have been unsuccessful, and local authorities have made only infrequent outreach. “Nobody’s helping out at all, it’s been devastating. Nobody is responding,” he emphasized, adding that his son’s wife, who is fluent in Spanish, has been assisting with translation.

A missing persons case has been opened by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, but Jeffrey is unaware of any US government officials actively collaborating with foreign authorities. Jeffrey has urged parents, particularly those with adult children who travel, to inform them about the potential dangers in destinations like Costa Rica. Ashley’s sister Amanda and their mother are planning to journey to Costa Rica on Friday to meet with local officials and visit the property where Ashley was staying, provided the weather permits.