Police say 17-year-old Jeffrey Surtel from Mission was reported missing on April 29, 2007.
The body of B.C. teenager Jeffrey Surtel, who was reported missing 18 years ago, has finally been identified after being found in Washington a year after he went missing, Mission RCMP said Tuesday.
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Surtel’s family in Mission reported him missing on April 29, 2007. They believed that Surtel, 17, had left the house on his bike while they were asleep at night, but noted that he left most of his belongings at home.
Police still don’t know what happened to the teen.
His family told police his disappearance was out of character. Family, friends and community members joined together with RCMP and Search and Rescue, and searched nearby streets, forested areas, and the Fraser River.
Numerous tips of possible sightings were received from various areas of the Lower Mainland and other parts of B.C., the RCMP said, but none were confirmed.
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 U.S. databases but no matches were found.
RCMP said earlier this year they sent the DNA to a private lab in Texas, which uses advanced forensic genetic genealogy. The lab linked the boy’s DNA with Surtel’s extended family and were able to get confirmation.
RCMP say his family was notified of the result last week.
“Our hearts go out to Jeffrey’s family and friends, as they learn of this news,” said Insp. Ted Lewko, officer in charge of the Mission RCMP detachment.
“We hope that this update helps to bring them some closure to what has surely been an unimaginable eighteen years of wondering what happened. Our sincere thanks to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office for their perseverance in finding answers, and to the lab that was able to help link the DNA to Jeffrey’s family. Your efforts have made a real difference to those who knew and loved Jeffrey.”
In an RCMP news release, Surtel’s family thanked everyone who helped search for their son, including his teachers.
Investigators on both sides of the border believe there was no foul play involved and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death remain a mystery.
In a Facebook post, the teen’s dad Gary Surtel said “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the almost 18 year search for Jeff is over.”
He added that it’s believed their beloved son “passed away on or shortly after his disappearance” on April 29, 2007.
“While the circumstances around his death remain unsolved, we are thankful to finally have closure,” he wrote.
He said the family will plan a memorial service possibly in April.