PORT ANGELES — Authorities suspect that a dead man found in the Sol Duc Valley of Olympic National Park last week is an Olympic College instructor who was reported missing on April 5.
A sport utility vehicle registered to Wendell Leon Harris, 57, of Poulsbo was discovered about one mile from the location of the body, according to a statement from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was found by hikers off trail in the vicinity of Sol Duc Valley group campsite, said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.
She said Harris had not filled out a backcountry hiking permit.
Confirmation of the man’s identity has not been officially made, and his death is being investigated by the National Park Service in collaboration with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, the statement and Maynes said.
Foul play is not suspected, Maynes said.
Harris was a temporary instructor at Olympic College in Bremerton and was last seen March 31.
Confirmation on the man’s identity, and the cause of death, were being determined by the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Deborah Kelly, county prosecuting attorney, also serves as county coroner.