Two Best Friends Vanished in Oregon – 7 Months Later Police Discovered This in a Neighbor’s Concrete

In 2002, the quiet suburb of Oregon City was shattered by a tragedy that would haunt the community forever. Two best friends—12-year-old Ashley Pond and 13-year-old Miranda Gaddis—vanished just weeks apart while walking to school. For months, investigators chased dead ends, parents clutched fading hope, and neighbors whispered in fear. Seven months later, the horrifying truth emerged: the girls’ remains were found buried beneath slabs of fresh concrete in a neighbor’s backyard.

This chilling true crime case revealed not only the brutality of one man but also the terrifying reality that sometimes, the greatest danger comes not from strangers, but from the people living next door.

A Community Built on Trust

At the beginning of 2002, Oregon City was the kind of place families considered safe. Children rode bikes through neighborhoods, walked to school together, and parents trusted that neighbors were watching out for one another.

Ashley and Miranda embodied that trust. The two girls were inseparable—laughing, riding bikes, and sharing dreams about the future. Ashley, full of energy and a love for dancing, balanced perfectly with Miranda’s humor and fierce loyalty. To their families, their friendship was a source of comfort.

But on January 9, 2002, Ashley never made it to school. At first, whispers suggested she might have run away, but her mother, Lori Pond, knew her daughter’s disappearance was out of character. Flyers went up, vigils were held, and volunteers searched wooded areas. Weeks later, just as hope was dimming, another blow struck. On March 8, 2002, Miranda also failed to arrive at school.

Two best friends gone. Same neighborhood. Same circumstances. Oregon City’s sense of safety was shattered.

The Investigation That Went Nowhere

With the FBI now involved, detectives worked around the clock. They interviewed neighbors, canvassed the school routes, and checked registered sex offenders in the area. But the case was frustratingly empty: no witnesses, no physical evidence, and no clear suspects.

Rumors swirled. Some speculated a serial predator was targeting the community. Others whispered about family troubles or cult activity. Parents no longer allowed children outside unsupervised, and fear settled over Oregon City like a permanent fog.

What investigators didn’t yet realize was that the monster they feared wasn’t lurking in the shadows—it was standing in plain sight.

A Neighbor Too Eager

One man in particular began to draw attention: Ward Weaver, who lived just a few doors away from the girls’ homes. Weaver seemed unusually eager to insert himself into the investigation. He gave interviews on his porch to television crews, insisting on his innocence, even joking about the possibility of being a suspect.

Weaver’s history should have raised more alarms. His father was serving a prison sentence in California for two murders, and Weaver himself had been accused of violence and sexual assault in the past. Yet he blended into the community, his daughter even being friends with Ashley.

Despite suspicion, police had no evidence. The case dragged on, families prayed for answers, and Weaver continued to live freely—hiding an unspeakable truth in his own backyard.

The Break in the Case

The turning point came in August 2002. After a relative accused Weaver of sexual assault, authorities finally obtained a warrant to search his property. What they uncovered was worse than anyone could have imagined.

Behind his home, investigators found disturbed earth and freshly poured concrete. Beneath the slabs, they discovered the bodies of both Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis.

For seven agonizing months, the girls’ families had hoped for a miracle. Instead, they were faced with the devastating reality that their daughters had been killed and buried just steps from their homes.

Justice for Ashley and Miranda

Weaver was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated murder. The trial revealed his calculated cruelty: he had encased the girls in concrete, as if attempting to erase their existence. Prosecutors argued this was no impulsive act—it was premeditated, cold, and designed to silence two children forever.

The jury found Weaver guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would never harm another child.

But for the families, justice was bittersweet. No sentence could bring Ashley or Miranda back. Their bedrooms remained untouched, shrines of laughter silenced too soon.

A Community Betrayed

The discovery sent shockwaves through Oregon City and across the nation. Parents had warned children about “stranger danger,” imagining predators in cars or lurking on dark corners. Few considered that the real danger could be a neighbor waving from his driveway.

For Oregon City, the betrayal was profound. Weaver had attended vigils, spoken to grieving parents, and even pretended to share in the community’s sorrow—all while the truth was literally buried in his yard.

The case became a painful reminder that monsters sometimes live among us, hidden behind familiar smiles.

Legacy and Lessons

More than twenty years later, the murders of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis remain a defining tragedy in Oregon’s history. Their story continues to appear in documentaries, true crime programs, and community discussions about child safety.

The case forced law enforcement to rethink missing child investigations. One critical lesson: never overlook those closest to the victim. The FBI later refined behavioral profiling methods based on insights from this case, emphasizing that perpetrators often insert themselves into investigations as a way to deflect suspicion.

For families, however, the lessons come with unbearable weight. Lori Pond and Michelle Duffy live with the knowledge that their daughters’ lives ended too soon. For the community, the names Ashley and Miranda symbolize innocence stolen and trust betrayed.

The story of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis is not fiction. Two best friends vanished in Oregon, and their bodies were found seven months later encased in concrete in a neighbor’s backyard. It is a story of horror, betrayal, and grief—but also of resilience.

By remembering their names, telling their story, and learning from the failures of the past, communities can honor their memory. The tragedy underscores a haunting truth: danger is not always far away. Sometimes, it lives next door.

As long as Ashley and Miranda are remembered, their laughter and light will never be fully silenced by the darkness that took them.