Police confirm remains found in Washington state are those of Mission, B.C. teen
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OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WASHINGTON STATE — Authorities have now confirmed that human remains that washed up on the shore of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state in 2008 are those of a Mission, B.C. teen.
In a joint statement released Tuesday by Mission RCMP and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office in Washington, the family of 17-year-old Jeffrey Surtel reported on April 29, 2007 that he was missing from their home in Mission, B.C. They suspected that Surtel left the home on his bike while they were asleep that night, though he left most his belongings and personal effects at home. Police say the disappearance was unusual and out of character for Surtel.
Consequently, Mission RCMP immediately launched an investigation into his whereabouts. Large groups of family, friends and community members coalesced with RCMP and search and rescue personnel to search nearby streets, forested areas, and the Fraser River. Multiple tips of possible sightings were received from various areas of the Lower Mainland and other parts of BC, but none were confirmed to be the teen. Despite a concerted effort by multiple parties, Surtel was not located.
In August 2008, human remains washed ashore on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter and conducted DNA analysis of the remains, comparing it with DNA samples across multiple US databases. No matches were found.
