More than two years after Ms Patricia Wu-Murad vanished during a solo hike along Japan’s historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, her family has confirmed her death, bringing a heartbreaking end to a prolonged search. The Taiwanese-American retiree, known affectionately as Pattie to her loved ones, was last seen on April 10, 2023, leaving a guesthouse in Nara for a day of hiking in the southern Kansai region. Her death was confirmed on May 9, 2025, after DNA testing matched remains found in the area to her daughter’s genetic profile. While this discovery offers some closure, it leaves unresolved questions about the circumstances of her passing.
A Long and Painful Search
Ms Wu-Murad, aged 60 at the time of her disappearance, had planned a seven-to-eight-hour hike along the ancient Kumano Kodo trail, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its spiritual significance and rugged terrain. After failing to arrive at a reserved inn later that day, she was reported missing, triggering an extensive search operation. Teams from the United States and Japan, including local police, embassy officials, and search and rescue (SAR) professionals, combed the dense forests and steep paths of the region. Even US Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut intervened, urging Japanese authorities to renew efforts when initial searches yielded no results.
For over two years, the family held onto faint hope. Her husband, Kirk Murad, a former coach of Singapore’s women’s basketball team at the 2017 SEA Games and a visiting lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic from 2000 to 2003, expressed the emotional toll of uncertainty. “We finally have time to grieve because we never really grieved her passing” he wrote on Facebook. “It was just… always hoping on that 0.1 per cent chance that she might still be alive.” 
The search gained momentum with small but significant discoveries. In September 2024, a local fisherman found Ms Wu-Murad’s backpack and a hiking shoe in a stream near Totsukawa village, roughly 18 months after she went missing. Then, in April 2025, a rescuer hired by the family located additional personal items and what appeared to be a femur in the same vicinity. DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to Ms Wu-Murad, providing the family with the devastating certainty they had long sought.
A Family’s Resilience
Based in Singapore, Ms Murphy Murad, Patricia’s daughter and the general manager of Fastbreak Basketball Club, played a pivotal role in the search efforts. Living closest to Japan among her family members, she spearheaded initial operations in 2023 and returned to the Kansai region in 2025 to finalize matters with local authorities after the remains were identified. Reflecting on the experience, she shared on Facebook, “Returning to Japan was equally nostalgic and heartbreaking.” She also noted how walking the terrain with an American SAR expert helped her visualize the likely path of her mother’s final moments, offering a semblance of understanding amid the loss.
The family’s determination was matched by the generosity of supporters. They raised over US$200,000 (S$260,000) to fund the search, a testament to the community’s solidarity. Mr Murad expressed gratitude to the SAR teams, many of whom declined payment beyond their expenses, highlighting the compassion that sustained the family through their ordeal.
Unanswered Questions
While the confirmation of Ms Wu-Murad’s death marks the end of the search, it does not fully resolve the mystery surrounding her disappearance. “The discovery offers a measure of closure, but many questions remain unanswered, including the exact circumstances and cause of Pattie’s death” Mr Murad noted on social media. The rugged nature of the Kumano Kodo trail, with its steep inclines and remote stretches, poses inherent risks to even experienced hikers. Whether Ms Wu-Murad suffered a fall, became disoriented, or encountered another hazard remains unclear, as no definitive evidence has emerged.
Her story underscores the challenges of solo hiking in isolated regions, where help can be hours or even days away. It also raises broader questions about safety protocols for travelers on such historic routes, which attract thousands of visitors annually for their cultural and natural allure. As the family begins to process their grief, they may yet seek answers to ensure others are spared similar heartache.
A Quiet Legacy
Ms Wu-Murad’s life was marked by a spirit of adventure and connection, qualities that drew her to the Kumano Kodo’s ancient paths. Her ties to Singapore through her husband’s coaching career and her daughter’s ongoing work in the city-state reflect a family deeply rooted in the region’s community. As they mourn, the Murads are reminded of the outpouring of support from across borders, a small comfort in the face of profound loss.
For now, the family turns inward to grieve, while the memory of Pattie’s journey lingers as a poignant reminder of both the beauty and the risks of exploring the world’s hidden corners. As they lay her to rest, the hope remains that her story might inspire greater awareness and care for those who tread similar paths in the future.
