Remains found in Olympic National Park identified as Hawaii man

The National Park Service announced Wednesday that skeletal remains discovered more than 25 years ago in a secluded area of Olympic National Park have been positively identified as a man originally from Hawaii. Joseph Louis Serrao Jr. was identified through a joint, multi-agency effort that employed advanced forensic genealogy techniques.

Family members reported that Serrao had been present in Washington state prior to vanishing, with their last contact dating to 1998.

The case originated in July 2000 when a researcher exploring the remote Sol Duc River drainage located a tent. Skeletal remains inside a sleeping bag were found within, and the researcher alerted park authorities. The remains were subsequently transferred to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, where a pathologist estimated the deceased was a male, likely between 30 and 50 years of age, who had died between six months and four years prior.

Investigators from the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory processed materials retrieved from the campsite but were unable to obtain usable latent fingerprints. For decades, the identity of the man remained a mystery.

A significant development occurred in 2024. A forensic anthropologist with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office submitted a DNA sample from the remains to Othram, a laboratory specializing in forensic genealogy.

By analyzing a broad range of DNA markers, Othram successfully generated new investigative leads and identified potential family connections by 2025.

Acting on these leads, the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch reached out to relatives across several states, including Hawaii.

Investigators conducted interviews and collected reference DNA samples to compare against the remains. Ultimately, a combination of genetic, genealogical, and circumstantial evidence allowed officials to conclusively identify Serrao.

“This case remained unresolved for nearly 30 years, but investigators never lost sight of the goal of identifying this individual and finding answers for his family,” Debra Flowers, deputy chief of the National Park Service ISB, said in a news release.

“I’m proud of the persistence and collaboration that made this identification possible, and I hope it brings some measure of closure to those who have spent so many years wondering what happened to Joseph.”

The National Park Service did not disclose any details regarding a suspected cause of death.