Mystery of remains found inside sleeping bag in Olympic park solved after 26 years

Human remains discovered in a remote section of a Washington state national park more than two decades ago have finally been identified, bringing long-awaited answers about the person's identity.

"I'm proud of the persistence and collaboration that made this identification possible, and I hope it brings some measure of closure to those who have spent so many years wondering what happened to Joseph."

The case dates back to July 2000, when a researcher discovered skeletal remains inside a sleeping bag in a tent in the Sol Duc River drainage area of Olympic National Park, located on Washington state's Olympic Peninsula.

A medical examiner determined the remains likely belonged to a man between the ages of 30 and 50, but authorities were unable to determine his identity.

The breakthrough came decades later when investigators used advanced DNA testing to search for possible relatives.

That effort eventually led authorities to Serrao's family, who confirmed they had not heard from him since 1998.

Investigators later matched DNA samples from family members to the remains, according to NPS.

Family members told investigators that Serrao was originally from Hawaii and had been living in Washington before he disappeared.

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Park Service for further comment.