Kristian's life began much like that of any other in Enumclaw. He grew up in a loving family, surrounded by friends, and seemed destined for a stable, happy life. He attended Enumclaw High School and later enrolled at Green River Community College, where he admitted to studying "not nearly enough." His work life included a job as a technician at Watershed Dynamics and a previous role as an auto detailer at Fugate Ford. Kristian was well-liked, and despite occasional struggles with drug addiction, his friends described him as someone with a good heart.
In January 2017, just weeks before his disappearance, Kristian's friends, Tony and Stephanie, noticed a positive change in him. Despite his ongoing battle with addiction, Kristian seemed to be on the mend. He looked healthier, happier, and appeared to be turning his life around. However, this newfound optimism was short-lived.
On February 7, 2017, Kristian vanished without a trace. Initially, his disappearance didn't raise too many alarms. Kristian had been known to go off the grid for short periods before, so his absence wasn't immediately concerning. However, as days turned into weeks and then months, his mother, Judy, grew increasingly worried. In May 2017, three months after his disappearance, Judy reported Kristian missing.
The investigation into Kristian's disappearance quickly grew cold. Despite the efforts of the police, no substantial leads emerged. The tight-knit community of Enumclaw was left with more questions than answers. The case took a grim turn when, after eight months of no progress, Kristian's friend Stephanie decided to take matters into her own hands. She offered her support to Kristian's family, created a Facebook page dedicated to finding him, and tirelessly searched for any information that could lead to his whereabouts.
Through the Facebook page, Stephanie began receiving tips and possible sightings of Kristian in various locations, including Tacoma, Seattle, Puyallup, and Bonney Lake. However, none of these tips led to any concrete information about Kristian's whereabouts. In a heart-wrenching twist, Stephanie gained access to Kristian's personal Facebook page, and the last activity was recorded on the day he disappeared. This discovery led Stephanie to believe that Kristian was no longer alive.
Despite the bleak outlook, Stephanie vowed to continue searching for Kristian until he was found. Her determination paid off on September 1, 2018, when unknown remains were discovered near the Burnstad home, close to the Bass Lake area in a dense swamp. After a two-week investigation, the remains were confirmed to be Kristian's. The medical examiner conducted an eight-month investigation into his death, but the cause of death could not be determined. Kristian's death certificate listed his death as "undetermined," leaving his family and friends with more questions than answers.
Investigating a suspicious death is different from investigating a homicide. A suspicious death is one where the circumstances are inconsistent with a natural death, but there is not enough evidence to confirm foul play. In Kristian's case, the police kept the investigation open, following every lead to determine whether his death was a result of criminal activity. However, with no concrete evidence, the case remains unsolved.
There are a few details known about the night Kristian disappeared. It is confirmed that someone dropped him off at his parents' home at around 1:30 AM. The home, located in a rural area of Enumclaw, was the last place Kristian was seen alive. He never entered the home that night, and his parents later found some of his belongings outside the house. Other items were discovered in the area a few days later.
Two individuals were interviewed as persons of interest in Kristian's case. One was the person who dropped him off at his parents' house, and the other was an individual accused of harming Kristian. While the person who dropped Kristian off passed a polygraph test, the other individual's results were inconclusive. However, the test administrator believed that due to the person's age and health, they were unlikely to have harmed Kristian.
The only significant tip the police received during the investigation came from the Facebook page Stephanie had created. This tip led investigators to the area where Kristian's remains were eventually found. The details of the tip have not been released, but it was reported that the tipster had overheard a conversation about the location of Kristian's body. Despite multiple interrogations, the individuals involved in the conversation have not been charged, leading to frustration and heartache for Kristian's loved ones.
Speculation surrounds Kristian's disappearance and death. Some sources suggest that he had a disagreement with his parents on the night he disappeared, while others believe he may have relapsed into drug use. However, no concrete evidence has surfaced to support any theory.
Kristian's case remains open, and the Enumclaw Police Department continues to seek information. If you have any details about Kristian's disappearance, you are urged to contact the Enumclaw Police at 360-825-3505. The police believe that there are individuals who know what happened to Kristian but are afraid to come forward.
The tight-knit community of Enumclaw is still searching for answers, and Kristian's family and friends are left with the pain of not knowing what truly happened to him. Until justice is served and the truth is revealed, the mystery of Kristian Burnstad's disappearance and death will continue to haunt those who loved him.