Mount Vernon, WA – A 36-year-old mystery in Skagit County has finally been solved. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that the man long known only as “Bow Doe” has been positively identified through modern DNA technology.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the man’s remains were found in February 1989 on a steep hillside above Chuckanut Drive near Bow, Washington. Deputies at the time determined that the man had likely taken his own life, but no identification could be made. He was buried later that year in the Bow Cemetery as an unknown individual.
In 2018, renewed efforts to identify the man were led by members of the Bow community, including retired Deputy Tony Breckenridge, who helped raise funds to exhume the remains. The remains were analyzed by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office using advanced forensic methods.
In 2025, a DNA sample was submitted to Othram, Inc., a Texas-based laboratory specializing in forensic genetic genealogy. Their analysis led investigators to a family match, confirming the man’s identity.
The family has chosen not to release his name publicly but expressed gratitude to law enforcement, forensic experts, and the Bow community for their compassion and persistence.
“This identification is the result of perseverance, community partnership, and incredible advances in forensic science,” said Chief Criminal Deputy Tobin Meyer.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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