Skeletal remains that were discovered by a construction crew on June 25, 2007, near a Redmond construction site have been identified as Douglas Virgil Priester III, who was last seen in 1996.
The remains were initially found on the 15500 block of 68th Court, and Redmond detectives working on the case noted the body had been there for a period of time.
The King County Medical Examiners Office determined the remains were that of a Caucasian male who was less than 50 years old. The case went cold after detectives combed through missing and unidentified persons reports and dental records.
In late 2021, Redmond Detective C. Mitchell began working with a genetic genealogist to identify the remains. Through technological advancements, the genealogist identified the remains in April of 2022.
“We believe every person deserves to return to their family,” said Mitchell. “We hope this will bring some closure to a tragic chapter in his family’s life.”
Priester was 30 years old when he went missing and had no reported permanent address. The circumstances and manner of his death have yet to be determined.
The Redmond Police Department is asking for individuals with information call the department at 425-556-2500.
