DNA analysis confirms remains as Mission, B.C., teen missing since 2007

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Mar 11, 2025 3:20 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 minutes ago

Mounties say DNA investigating has confirmed remains that washed ashore successful Washington authorities astir 17 years agone are those of a teen who went missing from Mission, B.C., much than a twelvemonth earlier.

Police accidental that 17-year-old Jeffrey Surtel was reported missing by his household connected April 29, 2007, and contempt hunt efforts and respective tips of imaginable sightings, helium was not found.

They accidental that successful August 2008, quality remains washed up connected Olympic Peninsula of Washington state.

The RCMP accidental Clallam County Sheriff's Office investigated, conducted DNA investigation of the remains and compared it with samples crossed aggregate databases successful the United States, but nary matches were found.

They accidental that successful 2024, the sheriff's bureau raised funds done crowdfunding donations, and sent the DNA for investigating astatine a backstage laboratory successful Texas earlier this year.

The Mounties accidental that laboratory utilized forensic familial genealogy and was capable to nexus the DNA to a subordinate of Surtel's extended family.

Mission RCMP accidental that the B.C. Coroners Service has since confirmed the effect and Surtel's household was notified past week. 

They accidental that investigators connected some sides of the borderline person confirmed that determination is nary denotation of criminality, though the circumstances surrounding the teen's disappearance and decease stay unknown.

Insp. Ted Lewko of the Mission RCMP detachment says constabulary anticipation the update brings immoderate closure to Surtel's loved ones aft 18 years of wondering what happened."Your efforts person made a existent quality to those who knew and loved Jeffrey."

"Our sincere acknowledgment to the Clallam County Sheriff's Office for their perseverance successful uncovering answers, and to the laboratory that was capable to assistance nexus the DNA to Jeffrey's family," Lewko says successful a quality release.