The discovery of remains has ended a 17-year search for missing Mission teen Jeff Surtel.
Parents Gary and Dawn Surtel posted the news to social media on Thursday (March 6).
"Remains have been identified through DNA testing as belonging to our beloved son Jeff. 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," the post reads.
Jeff Surtel was 17 at the time of his disappearance. In April 2007, he left his home at midnight on a bicycle and was reported missing.
The case remained an open and active Mission RCMP investigation as of 2023. A volunteer investigator with Please Bring Me Home – an organization with the aim of soliciting anonymous tips regarding cold missing person cases across Canada – also began investigating in 2023.
Surtel's parents say a memorial service will be held for family and friends at a later date.
"We would like to thank all the people who supported us over the years and were involved in the search for Jeff," Gary and Dawn said. "Special mention to Jeff's classmates at Hatzic Secondary School that searched the Fraser River Heritage Park. Also to the dozens of people that showed up for our grid search of the Mission area."
The Mission Record has contacted Mission RCMP for more information.
