OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A badly decomposed body found on a Pacific Ocean beach near the Hoh River mouth was identified Sunday as that of missing Hoh tribal fisherman David Hudson Jr.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office late Sunday announced the positive identification.
Hudson disappeared last month when he and his sister, Elva Hudson, were fishing, and the boat capsized in the river.
Elva Hudson managed to reach shore, but her brother went missing.
“We were able to identify the body using a photograph of a tattoo,” Sheriff Tony Hernandez said.
Deputy Dave Thomas, who works on the West End for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, met with the Hudson family Sunday night and showed a picture of the tattoo on the body.
“The family was able to positively confirm that was him,” said Chief Criminal Deputy Joe Nole.
The body now will be evaluated by Prosecuting Attorney/Coroner Juelie Dalzell to officially determine the cause of death, which is believed to be drowning, Nole said.
“There is no evidence of foul play, but we will evaluate it,” Nole said.
Hernandez said Dalzell will determine if a DNA test is needed to confirm it is Hudson, but the family’s identification was likely sufficient.
“The tattoo is pretty confirmatory,” Nole said.
The body was found Thursday near the mouth of the Hoh River near the site of the historical town of Oil City. Because of its decomposition, authorities could not make independent identification.
The meeting with the family originally was planned to take place Saturday night but was rescheduled for Sunday.
A funeral was held for Hudson last month.
His remains are being held by Kosec Funeral Home in Port Townsend. After the coroner’s evaluation, the remains will be turned over to Hudson’s family.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
