Missing hiker's death confirmed

A genetic analysis has confirmed that bone fragments found in Glacier National Park last July were the remains of Yi-Jien Hwa, who disappeared while hiking in the park in summer 2008.

The analysis matched the bone fragments to Hwa, and several pieces of evidence were found that closely match items on Hwa’s equipment list.

A massive search for Hwa was carried out after his family reported him missing in August 2008. He was three days overdue after embarking on a lengthy solo hike through the park’s backcountry.

Searchers put in more than 2,500 hours scouring rugged terrain in difficult conditions looking for Hwa.

The search effort was scaled back in early September 2008, although park rangers continued to look into new leads and analyze new information about the missing hiker.

Last July, a hiker in an area below the steep cliffs above Avalanche Lake found a portion of two items of clothing matching the description of Hwa’s clothing.

It was determined the area was near Hwa’s intended travel route.

Hwa had planned a trek that would span a total of about 90 miles, starting at Logan Pass and ending at Kintla Lake.

The search for him was concentrated on a looping portion of the route involving the trail from Going-to-the-Sun Road to Gunsight Lake, over Gunsight Pass to Sperry Glacier and over Comeau Pass and into Floral Park.

Hwa’s car was found at Logan Pass with food, supplies and maps with outlined routes for the second leg of his planned trip to Kintla Lake.

Rangers returned to the site where the clothing was found for further investigation, recovering additional evidence including the bone fragments.

The fragments were analyzed by the National Missing Persons Program at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.

Glacier Park officials have contacted Hwa’s family and closed the investigation into his disappearance.

Hwa, originally from Malaysia, was a master’s-degree student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He was 27 years old when he undertook his hike in Glacier.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.