DNA analysis confirms remains as Mission, B.C., teen missing since 2007
Remains of Missing Teen Found After 17 Years Wash Ashore in Washington State
After almost 17 years, DNA testing has confirmed that the remains found washed ashore in Washington state belong to a teenager who had gone missing from Mission, B.C. more than a year earlier. The teenager, 17-year-old Jeffrey Surtel, was reported missing by his family on April 29, 2007. Despite extensive search efforts and tips of possible sightings, he was not found.
In August 2008, human remains were discovered on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, conducted DNA analysis of the remains, and compared it with samples across multiple databases in the United States. However, no matches were found at that time.
In 2024, the sheriff’s office raised funds through crowdfunding donations to send the DNA for testing at a private laboratory in Texas earlier this year. The lab utilized forensic genetic genealogy techniques and was able to link the DNA to a member of Surtel’s extended family.
The Mission RCMP confirmed that the B.C. Coroners Service verified the result, and Surtel’s family was notified of the findings last week. Although there is no indication of criminality, the circumstances surrounding the teen’s disappearance and death remain unknown.
Insp. Ted Lewko of the Mission RCMP detachment expressed hope that the update would bring some closure to Surtel’s loved ones after 18 years of uncertainty. He thanked the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication in seeking answers and the lab that helped connect the DNA to Jeffrey’s family.
The discovery of Jeffrey Surtel’s remains highlights the importance of perseverance and collaboration in solving cold cases. While the circumstances of his disappearance and death remain a mystery, the identification of his remains brings some closure to his family and friends.
