Human remains located in March 2021 on timber property near the end of Raubuck Road in Winlock have been identified, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.
DNA reportedly confirmed the remains belong to Glen Michael Rudge. The last known contact with Rudge was in early 2018, at which time he was 25 years old, according to the sheriff’s office.
Rudge was reportedly “listed as a transient” and his last known address was near the area he was found, according to the sheriff’s office.
Timber workers reportedly found the remains while working in the Raubuck Road area the morning of March 2, 2021, according to previous Chronicle reporting. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Lewis County Coroner’s Office responded to the area that day to begin their investigation.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly examined the remains and confirmed there were no signs of trauma, according to the sheriff’s office. Rudge’s cause and manner of death are undetermined.
A contracted private company, Othram, was able to extract suitable DNA from evidence found at the scene and utilized genealogy research to identify the remains, according to the sheriff’s office. Further DNA testing through a living family member confirmed the remains belonged to Rudge, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact them at 360-748-9286 or contact Lewis County Communications at 360-740-1105.
