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Remains Found in Glacier Park Confirmed As Missing Hiker
Hiker went missing in 2008
Bone fragments found in Glacier National Park last summer have been identified as those belonging to Yi-Jien Hwa, a hiker missing in the park since the summer of 2008.
According to a statement from the park, the National Missing Person's Program at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification analyzed the bone and positively matched them to Hwa. Several pieces of evidence were also found that closely match the items in Hwa's equipment list.
Hwa's family has been contacted and the park has closed the investigation, park officials said.
The search for the missing hiker began on Aug. 21 2008, after Hwa's family contacted authorities and said he was three days overdue from a lengthy and arduous hike planned for Glacier's backcountry. After more than 2,500 hours of searching in difficult terrain, the search was scaled back in September 2008.
Then, in July 2011, a hiker found portions of clothing matching Hwa's clothing description in the area below the steep cliffs above Avalanche Lake, which was on Hwa's intended route. Rangers went to investigate the scene and found more evidence, including the bone fragments.
"Glacier National Park Rangers extend sympathy to the family, and appreciation to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department and Search and Rescue Team, and the many individuals and organizations that assisted with the investigation," the park wrote in its statement.
According to a statement from the park, the National Missing Person's Program at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification analyzed the bone and positively matched them to Hwa. Several pieces of evidence were also found that closely match the items in Hwa's equipment list.
Hwa's family has been contacted and the park has closed the investigation, park officials said.
Then, in July 2011, a hiker found portions of clothing matching Hwa's clothing description in the area below the steep cliffs above Avalanche Lake, which was on Hwa's intended route. Rangers went to investigate the scene and found more evidence, including the bone fragments.
"Glacier National Park Rangers extend sympathy to the family, and appreciation to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department and Search and Rescue Team, and the many individuals and organizations that assisted with the investigation," the park wrote in its statement.
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