Story perspectives
DNA Test Identifies 1998 Missing Hiker, Gives Family Closure
6/12/2026
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Story summary
- DNA testing solved the 25-year-old mystery by confirming the remains belong to Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., missing since 1998.
- The remains were discovered in July 2000 inside a sleeping bag in a tent near the Sol Duc River, alongside binoculars and a folding saw.
- Deputy chief Debra Flowers said Othram’s 2024 DNA sample identified relatives by 2025, confirming Serrao’s identity and giving his family closure.
