Skeletal remains discovered in 2007 near a construction site in Redmond have been identified as Douglas Virgil Priester III.
A construction crew found the remains on June 25, 2007, while working at a building site near the 15500 block of 68th Ct. in Redmond.
Redmond detectives working the case noted the body had been there for quite some time.
The King County Medical Examiners Office determined the remains were that of a Caucasian male who was less than 50 years old. After combing through missing/unidentified persons reports and dental records, the case went cold until technology advancements could assist detectives in identifying the male through genealogical records.
In late 2021, Redmond Detective C. Mitchell began working with a genetic genealogist to identify the remains. Using DNA technology, the genealogist identified the deceased in April 2022.
“We believe every person deserves to return to their family,” Mitchell said. “We hope this will bring some closure to a tragic chapter in his family’s life.”
Priester was last seen in 1996 and had no reported permanent address at the time of his disappearance. He was 30 years old when he went missing.
The circumstances and manner of death have not yet been determined. Anyone with information is asked to call the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jill Green, Public Information Officer
jgreen@redmond.gov