North Kitsap Herald

A body found Sunday in a wooded area in Poulsbo was identified as a missing Port Orchard man.

Philip A. Burlew, 39, was reported missing by his father Jan. 6. He told police he believed his son was suicidal and may have had a gun.

Volunteers with Washington Explorers Search and Rescue, coordinated by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, found Burlew’s body around 9:40 a.m. Sunday. The county coroner ruled his death a suicide.

A K-9 unit and volunteers first searched for Burlew on Jan. 14 without success.

Burlew had reportedly been involved in a one-car crash Jan. 3

in Poulsbo. He called 9-1-1 around 1:15 a.m., reporting he was uninjured, but his car was on fire after hitting a guy-wire.

Deputies found a car belonging to Burlew’s father off Viking Avenue near Snider Park.

Burlew’s body was found about 100 yards from where he had called 9-1-1 the day of the crash.

According to the sheriff’s missing person investigation, Burlew was living with his aunt in Port Orchard.