Investigators identified human remains found buried near a dock in Longview, Washington as an Oregon man who went missing in 2017, thanks to DNA testing and genetic genealogy.
In February of 2020, a longshoreman found a nearly complete human skeleton buried in thick blackberry bushes at the Weyerhaeuser dock in Longview.
An examination showed no signs of trauma, and the cause of death remains unknown.
In November of 2021, detectives started working with private DNA lab Othram to help identify potential family members through genetic genealogy.
According to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Jade Feigert was 22 years old and lived in Columbia County, Oregon when he went missing in February of 2017. He was last seen when his mother dropped him off in Kelso, Washington.
Using a sample of DNA from Feigert’s mother, Othram was able to confirm a mother/son relationship.
“There is no indication that Jade Feigert died as a result of a crime and the investigation will be closed,” said Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office officials.