The King County Medical Examiner’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify a man found deceased in Lake Washington, just offshore from the Associated Students of the University of Washington Shell House (ASUW) near the Montlake Cut. The Medical Examiner’s Office is releasing a forensic sketch and information related to the case with the goal of bringing answers to this man’s identity.
“For every individual who arrives at our office without a name, we believe there are family and friends experiencing the ambiguous loss of not knowing what happened to their loved one. By giving them back their names, we hope to help return them to the people who cared for them during their lives and perhaps bring some resolution to their families, friends, and loved ones,” said Dr. Benjamin J. Figura, State Forensic Anthropologist with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
In April of this year, thanks to the public’s help, the Medical Examiner’s Office was able to identify a man who was found deceased under the SR 520 bridge. And in 2023 and 2024, thanks to the public response to requests, the Medical Examiner’s office was able to identify two of three decedents. “We’re hoping the public can provide similar help in this case,” said Dr. Figura.
Man found deceased in Lake Washington, near the Mountlake Cut
On July 4, 2026, a middle-aged man was found dead in Lake Washington, just offshore from the Associated Students of the University of Washington Shell House (ASUW) building near the Montlake Cut.
The Medical Examiner’s Office believes the man was between 45 and 65 years old. He was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed about 229 pounds. He had brown eyes and dark gray hair with central thinning. No tattoos or identifying marks were evident. He was found wearing a gray zip-up sweatshirt, a dark grey T-shirt, black jeans, black tennis shoes, and a black backpack.
Do you recognize him?
If you believe you have any information that may help, please contact the Medical Examiner’s Office at 206-731-3232, ext. 5. You can reference case #26-1769. Any information you have could be helpful to investigators.
There are currently 51 unidentified decedents the Medical Examiner’s Office is working to identify. They work with law enforcement agencies in trying to solve these cases.
Sketches of additional unidentified people in King County are posted on the Medical Examiner’s Office unidentified remains web page.
If you have a loved one who is missing
If a relative or loved one is missing, promptly notify authorities.
Providing information related to the missing person, like medical and dental records, DNA samples, even familial DNA – like a cheek swab – can be helpful to an investigation. After you have reported a missing person, continue to follow up to make sure the case is entered into state and national databases.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has unidentified cases dating back to 1969 and would like to remind anyone who knows of a person missing to please make a report with law enforcement. If a report was made during the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s, please confirm with law enforcement that the report still exists, and that it has been entered into missing persons databases.
More recent technologies, such as genealogy databases and testing, offer new opportunities to determine the identities of currently unidentified people. The Medical Examiner’s Office, working with statewide partners, is looking closely at how these tools can help in solving cases.
More information
Visit the King County Medical Examiner’s Office unidentified remains webpage to download a high resolution image of the forensic sketch.
Originally posted 10/9/2026