• Missing Connecticut woman’s remains were found in Japan two years after her disappearance during a solo hike. The search for missing CT woman involved extensive efforts.
• A large international search effort involved U.S. and Japanese teams, FBI, and embassy officials working on the case of the missing CT woman.
• Her family mourns the loss, seeks answers, and plans to bring missing CT woman home to the U.S.

More than two years after Pattie Wu-Murad disappeared, her family received heartbreaking news. Missing CT resident Pattie went missing on April 10, 2023, while hiking alone on the Kumano Kodo trail in Japan. On April 27, 2025, a U.S. search and rescue expert retraced the area near where Pattie’s backpack was found last year. During his search, he discovered several personal items and human remains. The local police tested the remains, and DNA confirmed they belonged to Pattie. Her family shared the news on May 17, expressing deep sadness but also some relief. They still seek answers about how she died and what exactly happened during her final days.

Family Confirms Death and Shares Emotional Response on Facebook

Pattie’s family posted a detailed update on Facebook. They wrote how they had prepared for this outcome but still feel the pain of loss. The news offers some closure but leaves many questions unanswered. Pattie’s loved ones described her as a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. They thanked the global community that supported their search. Her family promised to honor her memory with love and gratitude. The post came from Pattie’s husband, Kirk Murad, and their three children: Rachel, Murphy, and Bryce.

How the Remains Were Found After Backpack Discovery

The discovery came after a key breakthrough in late 2024. The investigation into missing CT woman Pattie deepened when a fisherman in Totsukawa village found Pattie’s backpack in a stream on September 15. Inside, someone had written Pattie’s email and family address on a bag. The fisherman reported the find to the Gojo Police Station. The police collected the backpack the next day. They also found one of Pattie’s shoes downstream from the backpack’s location. These clues focused the search in that area northeast of the Mandokoro guesthouse. The U.S. search and rescue expert then carefully retraced the trail, leading to the remains discovery in April 2025.

Pattie Disappeared While Hiking Solo on a 700-Mile Trail in Japan

Pattie left a guesthouse early on April 10, 2023. She planned to hike the famous Kumano Kodo trail alone. This trail covers about 700 miles through Japan’s mountainous Nara Prefecture. Pattie never arrived at her next guesthouse. Local authorities started searching that day. However, after 72 hours, they could not find her. The family grew worried and launched a GoFundMe to pay for private search teams. They raised over $200,000 but stopped accepting donations by June 2023.

Massive Search Effort Involving U.S. and Japanese Teams

The search effort lasted years and included many people. Twenty-four American search and rescue professionals joined local Japanese teams. Law enforcement, the FBI, and U.S. Embassy officials in Japan and Washington supported the mission. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal also provided help. Everyone worked tirelessly to find missing CT resident Pattie. Despite the challenges, they never gave up hope. This extensive collaboration showed how much people cared about bringing Pattie home.

Family’s Next Steps to Bring Pattie Back to the U.S.

Now that authorities confirmed Pattie’s death, her family works with officials to bring her home. Pattie was 61 years old at the time she disappeared. Her loved ones want to give her a proper farewell. They also hope to find answers about what happened on the trail. The family values all the support from the worldwide community. They continue to honor Pattie’s life and legacy with deep love.

Remembering Pattie: A Woman Who Touched Many Lives

Pattie Wu-Murad lived a life full of love and kindness. Her family described her as an incredible woman whose friendship affected many people. She left behind a husband and three children who deeply miss her. The family’s message thanked everyone who helped during the long search. They said they will keep her memory alive with gratitude in their hearts. Pattie’s story reminds us all how precious life is and how much community matters in times of loss.