Remains of 17-year-old Mission teen who went missing in 2007 found in Washington State

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Mission
Mission RCMP

In a statement earlier this week, police say the remains of a 17-year-old Mission teen missing since 2007 were discovered in Washington State.



17-year-old Jeffrey Surtel was reported missing from his family home on April 29, 2007. The disappearance was out of character for Jeffrey, and Mission RCMP immediately commenced an investigation into his whereabouts.

“A large contingent of family, friends and community members joined together with RCMP and Search and Rescue, and searched nearby streets, forested areas, and the Fraser River,” reads a joint statement from Mission RCMP and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. “Numerous tips of possible sightings were received from various areas of the Lower Mainland and other parts of BC, but none were confirmed to have been Jeffrey. Despite everyone’s best efforts, Jeffrey was not found.”



Human remains washed ashore on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State in August 2008 were identified earlier this year as his.

“The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter and conducted DNA analysis of the remains, comparing it with DNA samples across multiple US databases. No matches were found,” reads their statement.

“In 2024, the Sheriff’s Office raised funds through crowd-funding donations, and in early 2025 they sent the DNA for testing at a private laboratory in Texas. That lab used advances in forensic genetic genealogy to link the DNA to a member of Jeffrey’s extended family. Through additional follow-up with Mission RCMP and the BC Coroner’s Service, they were able to confirm that the DNA from the found remains belonged to Jeffrey Surtel. His family was notified of the result last week.”

Investigators say there is no indication of criminality, although the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and death of Jeffrey remain unknown.



“Our hearts go out to Jeffrey’s family and friends, as they learn of this news,” says Inspector Ted Lewko, Officer in Charge of the Mission RCMP detachment.

Jeffrey’s family was notified last week and thanked the community for their efforts.

“We would like to thank all the people who supported us over the years and were involved in the search for Jeff. Special mention to Jeff’s classmates and teachers at Hatzic Secondary School that searched the Fraser River Heritage Park. Also, our thanks to the dozens of people that showed up for the grid search of the Mission area,” reads a statement from his family.

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