SEATTLE — Human remains recovered from Lake Washington this month are believed to be those of a man who vanished nearly two years ago, according to local authorities.
Jose A. Argueta-Chavarria was last seen on August 27, 2023, after taking out a friend’s boat for a ride. The empty boat was later discovered near a dock, and his vehicle was found parked at the Atlantic City boat ramp—an area he was known to visit often. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of Argueta-Chavarria had been found—until now.
On April 10, 2025, a private firm called Coastal Sensing and Survey was conducting underwater mapping operations in Lake Washington when it detected a potential body roughly 100 feet below the surface, between Rainier Beach and Mercer Island.
The Seattle Police Department’s Harbor Unit was notified, and a recovery operation was launched using remote-operated underwater equipment. The following day, April 11, police successfully retrieved the remains, which reportedly matched the physical description of Argueta-Chavarria.
An official identification and cause of death have not yet been confirmed pending further investigation by the medical examiner’s office.
