The human remains found earlier this year outside Centralia have been identified as those of Chris Virdell.
The human remains located in rural Centralia last February are likely that of a missing 18-year-old Spanaway man who disappeared in 2012.
A cause of death was not released, though Pierce County investigators and Chris Virdell’s family said previously they suspect foul play.
Virdell disappeared on Feb. 9, 2012, while living with his family in Spanaway and working as a cashier at Safeway, according to a website about his disappearance run by his family. He was last seen between 9 and 10 a.m. in the area of 224th Street and 42nd Avenue in Spanaway while waiting for a Pierce County transit bus to go to work. Virdell never showed up for his 11:30 a.m. shift.
The boy’s father, Paul Virdell, told a KIRO reporter in April 2013 that since Virdell’s disappearance, his bank accounts have not been touched and his cellphone has been inactive.
At first, police assumed Virdell had run away; however, three months after his disappearance, when they got his phone records back, they began to suspect foul play, according to the family.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating his disappearance since 2012. Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Ed Troyer said more than 100 people have been interviewed.
Pierce County detectives are lead on the investigation and are working “closely” with Lewis County investigators to determine what led to his death, according to a news release from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
The remains were found by a someone walking a dog on the 2800 block of Little Hanaford Road back in February. The remains were close to a road and an on property owned by TransAlta USA.
The sheriff’s office sent the remains to University of North Texas Center for identification. The process took several months before a DNA sample confirmed his identity. Further dental testing completed on Thursday also confirmed Virdell’s identity.
The Pierce County spokesman told KOMO 4 on Thursday that detectives believe Virdell may have been killed by a man who is also dead.
One of the main suspects in Virdell’s disappearance was Michael Bourquin, 21, of Roy, who got into a fight with Pierce County deputies during a routine traffic stop last February, according to KIRO 7.
Bourquin had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for felony drug and theft charges and fought the arresting deputies. He then sprayed the deputies with bear mace, who then shot him.
Troyer also told Seattle-based news organizations that others may have been involved in Virdell’s death.
Paul Virdell told KIRO he thought Bourquin killed his son. The father said he fears his son’s murder will be more difficult to solve due to Bourquin’s death.
An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses at http://www.gofundme.com/missing-chrisvirdell.
