Remains found 17 years ago in Washington determined to be missing Mission teen

The Mission RCMP and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office in Washington say remains that washed ashore in 2008 have now been determined to be that of a Mission teen who went missing 18 years ago.

In April 2007, 17-year-old Jeffrey Surtel was reported missing by his family from their home.

At the time, his family believed that Surtel left the house on his bike while they were asleep at night, but said that he left most of his belongings at home.

The RCMP says it immediately began searching for Surtel, and a massive group of friends, extended family, and other community members joined in the search to find him.

While police received “numerous” tips from the public, police say sightings all turned up empty and none were confirmed to be Surtel.

In August 2008, human remains washed ashore of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter, the RCMP and Sheriff’s Office said in an update Tuesday. No matches were found through the DNA analysis.

In 2024, crowd-funded donations were used to sent the DNA for testing at a private laboratory in Texas. Police say that lab used advanced forensic genetic genealogy to link the DNA to Surtel’s uncle.

“Certainly, the Fraser River flows right through Mission, flows to the Pacific Ocean. So if at any point, Jeffrey ended up in the Fraser River, then it’s reasonable that he would have been carried out to the ocean, and carried south to Port Angeles,” Constable Harrison Mohr of Mission RCMP said. 

Through additional follow-up with Mission RCMP and the BC Coroner’s Service, it was confirmed the DNA belonged to Surtel, police added.

According to police, Surtel’s family was informed of the match last week.

“Our hearts go out to Jeffrey’s family and friends, as they learn of this news,” said Insp. Ted Lewko from the Mission RCMP. “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,” Lewko added.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Surtel’s father, Gary, shared that “with deep sorrow that we announce the almost 18 year search for Jeff Surtel is over.”

“It is believed that he passed away on or shortly after his disappearance on April 29th 2007. While the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unsolved, we are thankful to finally have closure,” Gary Surtel said.

The Surtel family is now planning a memorial to say their final goodbyes to their teenage son.

Police say there is no indication of criminality related to Surtel’s death, but they add that the circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown.