Human Remains Found in Washington After Washing Ashore 16 Years Ago Identified as Teen Who Disappeared from Home

Human Remains Found in Washington After Washing Ashore 16 Years Ago Identified as Teen Who Disappeared from Home https://ift.tt/v38c1GD

Jeffrey Surtel, 17, of Mission, British Columbia, was reported missing by his parents on April 29, 2007

Mission RCMP/Facebook

Jeffrey Surtel

Human remains found in Washington state nearly 17 years ago have finally been identified.

On Tuesday, March 11, the Mission Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced that the remains belonged to Jeffrey Surtel, 17, of Mission, British Columbia.

Authorities said Jeffrey’s family reported him missing from their home on April 29, 2007. "They believed that Jeffrey left the house on his bike while they were asleep at night, but noted that he left most of his belongings at home," police wrote.

As this was uncharacteristic of Jeffrey, police immediately launched an investigation into his whereabouts — and “a large contingent of family, friends and community members joined together" to help authorities search "nearby streets, forested areas, and the Fraser River."

Related: Man Vanished from Michigan Music Festival in 2018. His Remains Were Just Found, but Cause of Death Remains Unknown

However, although "numerous tips of possible sightings were received from various areas of the Lower Mainland and other parts of B.C.," nothing led to the missing boy being found.

"It's been horrible," Gary Surtel, the teen's father, said in 2012, according to CTV News. "Not a day goes by that we don't think of Jeff,"

Related: Remains Found in Colorado National Park Identified as Man, 73, Who Disappeared Over 1 Year Ago

According to authorities, in August 2008, human remains washed ashore on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office conducted an DNA analysis of the remains, but no matches were found.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

Finally after generating donations through crowd-funding in 2024, the sheriff’s office sent the DNA to a private laboratory in Texas, which was able to "link the DNA to a member of Jeffrey’s extended family,” the Mission RCMP said.

The lab later confirmed the identify of the remains and Jeffrey's family was notified.

According to investigators from Canada and the U.S., there is no sign of criminality in the case, but the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey’s disappearance and death remain unknown.

Related: Missing Mom's Skeletal Remains Found in Wooded Area Over 5 Months After She Vanished

In a statement, Inspector Ted Lewko with the Mission RCMP expressed condolences to Jeffrey’s family and friends.

Read also“Harry Potter ”Star Jessie Cave Launches OnlyFans for 'Hair Stuff' Aimed at 'Niche' Audience with a 'Fetish'

Read alsoNeglected Poodles and Doodles Found Dirty and Matted Lose 51 Pounds of Filthy Fur During 3-Day Makeover (Exclusive)

Read alsoMom Refuses to Feed Kids Who Didn’t RSVP to Her Child’s Birthday Party

Read alsoWoman Says Her Husband Gave Her a ‘Look’ When She Made Their Kids Hotdogs to Eat: ‘Wow, Nice Gourmet Dinner’

“We hope that this update helps to bring them some closure to what has surely been an unimaginable eighteen years of wondering what happened,” Lewko said. “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.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

Jeffrey’s family also shared a statement through the Mission RCMP that read in part: “We would like to thank all the people who supported us over the years and were involved in the search for Jeff.”