The more than decade-old case is finally closed. In August 2008, human remains were discovered on the shore of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. Authorities quickly worked to identify the body, but unfortunately, DNA analyses did not yield any useful information. “The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter and conducted DNA analysis of the remains, comparing them with DNA samples across multiple U.S. databases. No matches were found,” Mission RCMP wrote on Facebook. Now, after more than a decade, the body has finally been linked to a name: Jeffrey Surtel.
The boy was a 17-year-old who lived in Mission, British Columbia—not Washington. On April 29, 2007, he was reported missing from his home after leaving on a bicycle during the night. Jeffrey Surtel left most of his belongings at home, and it didn’t take long for his parents to notice his absence.
After the incident was reported, the police quickly launched an investigation and searched for the missing teen. Volunteers also joined the effort, and together, they searched various areas, from the streets to the river. Despite receiving numerous tips about possible sightings of Surtel, no one was able to find him. In the end, his body was discovered in Washington.
Finally Found
Many years passed before the authorities decided to crowdfund a campaign to raise donations so they could send the DNA found on the body for further testing. They managed to send it to a private laboratory in Texas called Othram Laboratory, which used forensic genealogy technology to connect the remains’ DNA to a member of Surtel’s extended family. “Through additional follow-up with Mission RCMP and the BC Coroner’s Service, they were able to confirm that the DNA from the found remains belonged to Jeffrey Surtel,” Mission RCMP wrote.
After discovering this new result, the authorities notified Surtel’s family last week. After many years, it was surely a shock for them to hear that their missing son had been found in Washington, so far from home.
“We would like to thank all the people who supported us over the years and were involved in the search for Jeff,” Jeffrey’s family told Mission RCMP. They especially thanked Jeff’s classmates and teachers at Hatzic Secondary School, who had searched for him at Fraser River Heritage Park.
Those who heard this news shared their sympathies online. Though many years had passed, there was no doubt that the ache of losing their son was still present. “His poor mother. How awful,” one Facebook user said.
