Lake County, FL John Doe (1988) identified as Roy Arthur Torvik

Lake County, FL John Doe (1988) identified as Roy Arthur Torvik

From DNASolves.com: "On May 15, 1988, the decomposed remains of an unidentified man were found floating in a canal off Grass Lake on the Lykes Citrus Management property in Minneola, Florida. The Districts 5 and 24 Medical Examiners Office responded along with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and began collecting evidence and investigating. Investigators determined the man was a white male estimated to be between 50 and 70 years old and approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall. Because of the condition of the remains, the man could not be identified.

Despite investigative efforts, the man could not be identified and became known as Lake County John Doe (1988). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP6295."

Working with the Districts 5 and 24 Medical Examiners Office, the Lake County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram's laboratory, where scientists worked to develop a DNA extract from the provided evidence and built a DNA profile for the man. Othram's forensic genetic genealogy team then used the profile to develo,p new investigative leads that law enforcement used in their follow-up investigation. They located potential relatives of the man, which led to his positive identification as Roy Arthur Torvik, who was born on November 22, 1929.

RIP Roy.

Note: I could not find any reconstructions or photos for Roy unfortunately.

Links

DNASolves.com: https://dnasolves.com/articles/lake-county-florida-1988-john-doe-roy-arthur-torvik/

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260604184548/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/6295#%2F6295

Lake County Sheriff's Office: https://www.lcso.org/coldcase/cases/case24/

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Roy\_Torvik

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=3786UMFL

u/blinkycosmocat — 1 day ago

Lake County, FL Jane Doe (1991) has been identified as Leslie Shaw

From DNASolves.com: "On December 7, 1991, the remains of an unidentified woman were discovered in Sorrento, Florida. A hiker found the woman beneath a pile of tree branches along a hiking trail about 75 yards north of Ethel Drive in a wooded area near Sorrento. The Lake County Sheriff's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating.

Investigators estimated the woman was between 25 and 40 years old, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighed about 124 pounds. She had brown hair with blonde tips and hazel eyes. Investigators determined that she had been strangled and sexually assaulted prior to her death. While the woman could not be identified, Joseph A. Rolle, Jr. was charged with her rape and murder. A jury convicted Joseph A. Rolle, Jr. for the woman's rape, but not her murder. Rolle, Jr. denied knowing the woman's identity.

Despite extensive investigative efforts, including fingerprint analysis and follow-up on numerous leads, the woman could not be identified. The case remained unresolved for more than three decades. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP6031."

In 2024, investigators with the Lake County Sheriff's Office submitted evidence to Othram's laboratory, where scientists worked to develop a DNA extract from the provided evidence, and then built a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Othram's forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement, who followed up on the leads and located potential relatives of the woman. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Leslie Shaw, born in 1958. Shaw had gone missing from the central Florida area in approximately 1991.

RIP Leslie.

Links

DNASolves.com: https://dnasolves.com/articles/lake-county-sorrento-florida-leslie-shaw-1991/

Archived NamUs (NSFW for postmortem photo): https://web.archive.org/web/20260710142200/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/6031#%2F6031

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=412uffl

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Leslie\_Shaw

u/blinkycosmocat — 1 day ago

Big Horn County, WY John Doe (1973), with a distinctive custom ring.

This case was reopened recently. The authorities were only able to locate the Coroner's Verdict and the evidence as their documentation. I located a couple of articles in the Casper, Wyoming Star-Tribune from the period that had some additional details.

On July 10, 1973, someone reported seeing a body floating in the Greybull River about 50 feet north of the Highway 30 bridge, eight miles west of Basin, Wyoming. The authorities responded and recovered the body of a male with an approximate age range of 18-26 years. He appeared to have been in the water for several days.

He was wearing a possible polo shirt and blue and white striped cutoff pants. He did not have a wallet or identification and no vehicle was found. Several items were found along the riverbank, which described below. It has not been verified that they belonged to the man though. While a citizen had reported seeing several young men swimming in the area several days before the body was found, it is unclear if any of the swimmers were located or if the deceased young man had been among them.

No autopsy or inquest was done, apparently due to the degree of decomposition. He was buried in the Basin Cemetery. While the Coroner's office FB post considered the death to be suspicious, an article from 1973 indicated that the sheriff in Basin did not suspect foul play because officials found where the man had walked into a hole by the bridge, walked out, and then walked in again.

Details for Big Horn County John Doe (1973)

Biological Sex: Male

Race / Ethnicity: Unknown

Estimated Age Range: 18 - 26 years

Height: 5' 6" - 5' 7" (5' 8" in the 7/17/1973 article)

Weight: 150 - 160 lb, estimated

Hair Color: Brown, described as dark brown in the July 17, 1973 article.

Eye Color: Brown

Facial Hair: Mustache with reddish hair ("sandy" hair in the 7/17/1973 article)

Condition of Remains: Decomposing

Clothing: Blue and white striped cutoff pants, possible polo shirt

Jewelry, either worn on the right ring finger (7/17/1973 article) or possibly found on the riverbank: A 14k gold ring depicting the head of a bird (described as "an eagle about to land" in the 1973 article), a diamond, and the initials "MK." The ring appears to be custom but did not appear to have a mark inside. (One interesting comment in the FB post suggested that the creature was a snake, and that combined with the pseudo-Asian font could reference the Chinese Zodiac snake.)

Moccasin-type shoes, found on riverbank: black, with rubber soles. Google's AI search determined that the patent number was for the Quoddy Moccasin, made by the Spiegel-Stanley Co. of Portland, Maine. The design patent was for a sole design that was in use between the 1940s - 1970s. The town name mentioned on the shoe sole appears to be Sabattus (formerly named Webster), Maine, which had a plant that manufactured rubber shoe soles.

Additional items, found on the riverbank: Prescription Ray-Ban sunglasses, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes with 17 cigarettes remaining.

Links

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Big\_Horn\_County\_John\_Doe\_(1973)

Cowboy State Daily: https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/08/11/big-horn-county-reopens-case-of-man-found-floating-in-greybull-river-in-1973/

Big Horn County Coroner's Office, on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story\_fbid=122176768970815579&id=61574467388000

Casper Star-Tribune, July 17, 1973: https://www.newspapers.com/image/446221359/?search-id=b8fa1e3b-c521-4cc3-9f81-b945a4cfa232&search-rank=2

Casper Star-Tribune, July 18, 1973: https://www.newspapers.com/image/446223101/?search-id=b8fa1e3b-c521-4cc3-9f81-b945a4cfa232&search-rank=1

In the process of being added to NamUs; I will add the link when it's available.

u/blinkycosmocat — 6 days ago

Truckee, Placer County, CA John Doe (9/2018). Skeletal remains found with a horsehair toothbrush and an engraved pocket watch.

I haven't been able to find any other sources beyond NamUs for this case. Local news had covered the discovery by a of different remains by a hiker earlier that month but seemingly wrote nothing about this case.

On September 30, 2018, a renter was clearing brush from the backyard of a home. While removing some shrubs, the renter discovered what appeared to be a human skull. The authorities then arrived and located personal effects and other skeletal remains. The listing isn't clear about what other remains were discovered, but apparently enough to estimate his height.

Details of NamUs UP161438

ME/C Case Number: 180010602

Biological Sex: Male

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Estimated Age Group: Adult - Pre 60

Height: 5' 8"(68 inches), Estimated

Weight: Cannot Estimate

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial skeletal parts only

Hair and Eye Colors are unknown.

Clothing: Suspenders

Black and gold striped silky handkerchief

Multiple buttons

Socks and garters

Jewelry: Engraved football shaped charm

Accessories: Horsehair toothbrush

Man's shaving razor

An engraved pocket watch with letters "GHT"

Carpet style bag

A black leather belt with the letter "G" engraved

Other: Coins from the 1900s

It's really, really unfortunate that this listing didn't include pictures of this man's items to get a better sense of the age of his personal effects. Nylon toothbrushes, which eventually displaced horsehair toothbrushes, were first sold around 1938 but didn't take off until WWII. A picture of the watch and its initials would have helped too. The 1900s cover a 100 year range, and pictures or the date on the most recent coin would have helped in this case.

I will update this post if other sources are located.

namus.gov
u/blinkycosmocat — 8 days ago

Lemhi County, ID Doe (5/2025), found with the remnants of an antique shovel

On May 5, 2025, a cross-country runner spotted what appeared to be human remains in a draw of a ravine in the foothills north of Salmon, Idaho. He reported the discovery to the County Sheriff's Office on 5/9/2025 and the authorities responded to the location on 5/24.

The site had partial skeletal remains, some of which appeared to have been unearthed recently while others appeared more weathered. Per a Facebook post from an area cold case group, the bones are thought to belong to an adult.

Per NamUs, there was a shovel head lying next to the recovery site. The handle appeared to have rotted away, as the securing bolts were still in place. The shovel head had Baldwins Monongah Brand printed on it. The size of the shovel was listed as a #2. The shovel was researched and it was found that the company was in business from 1910 to 1931.

Some of the bones were sent to the Idaho State Police Lab in Meridian for analysis and to determine if the bones matched to any area missing persons.

The remnants of a shovel nearby would seem to exclude a pioneer type burial because a shovel would not have been left behind.

Details of NamUs UP154135

ME/C Case Number: 25-0189LCSO

Biological Sex and Race / Ethnicity are unknown.

Height, Weight, Hair Color, and Eye Color are also unknown.

Location: Salmon, Idaho 83467

County: Lemhi County

GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped): N 45.29630 W113.85989

Inventory of Remains: Head not recovered, Torso not recovered, One or more limbs not recovered, One or both hands not recovered

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial skeletal parts only

Links

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/154135?nav

The Recorder-Herald, 7/3/2025, the source of the clipping and the only article I found:

https://salmon.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=recorder&t=27844&i=t&by=2025&bdd=2020&d=07032025-07032025&m=after&ord=k1&fn=the\_recorder\_herald\_usa\_idaho\_salmon\_20250703\_english\_1&df=1&dt=10

The article references a press release from the sheriff's office but it's not available on their FB page.

ETA a Google Earth satellite image of the site: https://imgur.com/a/z0LZUaI

u/blinkycosmocat — 10 days ago

Webb County, TX Jane Doe (2004)

On the morning of September 26, 2004, a woman was found in the banks of the Rio Grande near the end of Calton Road in Laredo, Texas. She had no identification and was thought to be a migrant crossing the river based on evidence found at the scene. The woman had suffered multiple stab wounds, leading to a determination of homicide as her cause of death. While it's not clear in the reconstruction, she had distinctive dental work.

Note: Her NamUs listing is missing key details, like an age estimate and PMI. My thought is that she was a younger woman, based on the reconstruction and clothing and her PMI was recent, probably days at most, if the authorities could determine her eye color.

Details of NamUs #UP3220

ME/C Case Number: 04-31669

Biological Sex: Female

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian [per NamUs], but possibly Hispanic

Height: 5' 6" (66 inches), Measured

Weight: 120 lbs, Measured

Hair Color: Black

Head Hair Description: Black

Eye Color: Brown

Clothing: Was wearing a black, transparent blouse with beige slacks.

Dental Work: Two gold upper teeth with the "Mercedes Benz" logo.

Jewelry: Two gold earrings and a necklace with a Virgin of Guadalupe medallion.

She has no exclusions.

Links

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/3220

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Webb\_County\_Jane\_Doe\_(2004)

Texas Department of Public Safety: https://www.dps.texas.gov/apps/coldCase/Home/Details/305

KGNS: https://www.kgns.tv/2022/03/09/laredo-police-reignite-18-year-old-cold-case/

Laredo Morning Times (archived): https://archive.ph/1fYKB

u/blinkycosmocat — 11 days ago

Amelia County, VA John Doe (1990)

On October 31, 1990, two fishermen found a skeleton and combat-type boots in a wooded area near Nibbs Creek, outside of Chula in Amelia County, Virginia. Investigators later found a few other personal effects at the scene. The remains were determined to belong to a white male, estimated age range 30-45 years old, estimated height range 5'11" - 6'5".

Details of NamUs #UP6548

ME/C Case Number: C1990-16210

Biological Sex: Male

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Estimated Age Range (Years): 30-45 (Doe Network); 42-59 (NamUs)

Estimated Year of Death: 1988-1990 (Doe Network); 1989-1990 (NamUs)

Estimated PMI: 1-2 Years

Height: 5' 11"-6' 5" (71-77 inches), Estimated (NamUs); 6' 3" (Doe Network)

Weight: Cannot Estimate

Inventory of Remains: All parts recovered

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton

Hair and Eye Colors are unknown.

Distinguishing Marks/Features: Healed trauma on right shoulder bony spur of scapula. Large unilateral frontal sinus.

Clothing: Frayed red material (possibly a sock);

rope; Green material with elastic waistband and pocket

Eyewear: Aviator type sunglasses

Footwear: Right and left black military-type boots; plain toe Army boots, size 10 1/2 W, manufactured by Rosearch (Rosearch Manufacturers, Wellco Enterprises, Georgia Ave and Pine St, PO Box 188, Waynesville, NC 28786)

Other: Purple cigarette lighter

Pennies (latest date is 1987)

Two bolts

Lead weight

Blue comb

Dentals: Available.

Fingerprints: Unknown

DNA: Available.

Investigating Agency:

Agency Name: Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Agency Contact Person: Lara Frame

Agency Phone Number: 202-782-2213

Exclusions (missing persons who have been ruled out):

Jerry Plaster

David Person

Rodney Olsen

Paul Sekel

David Bacon

Ronald Westwick

Randy Spring

Steven Thomas

Links

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/6548

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=1369umva

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Amelia\_County\_John\_Doe\_(1990)

Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/1/1990:

https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-remains-found/203337089/

u/blinkycosmocat — 13 days ago

After Decades, Santa Cruz County, AZ John Doe (1978) is identified as David Alan McInroy

From DNASolves.com: "On April 28, 1978, skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were recovered at Patagonia Lake State Park in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Investigators determined the remains belonged to young adult male, likely between the ages of 18 and 24 years old. Clothing recovered along with the remains included denim cut-off shorts with a "Made in Canada" tag, white Jockey-brand shorts, dark-colored socks, and ankle-high walking boots. Investigators determined that the man died by drowning.

No identification was found and, because of the condition of the remains, there was no way to identify the man at the time. Despite investigative efforts, the man could not be identified and became known as Santa Cruz County John Doe (1978). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP15744."

In August 2024, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, working with the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, submitted forensic evidence to Othram. Scientists at Othram successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then built a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram's forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

Investigators were then able to locate potential relatives of the man and collect a DNA sample from a relative. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be David Alan McInroy. McInroy, born on October 13, 1952, was from Ontario, Canada.

RIP David.

Links

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260304083835/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/15744#%2F15744

KOLD: https://www.kold.com/2026/08/06/dna-technology-helps-solve-decades-old-cold-case-santa-cruz-county/

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 13 days ago

After Decades, Kansas City, MO Jane Doe (1981) is now identified as Karen Sue Enggas

From DNASolves.com: "On May 16, 1981, the skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were found along George Road just north of Noland Road in a rural area of Kansas City, Missouri. The Kansas City Police Department and Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. The woman was white, estimated to be between 32 and 52 years old, and her remains were almost completely skeletonized. No clothing or personal effects were recovered. There was no way to identify her at the time.

Despite decades of investigation, the woman could not be identified and became known as Kansas City Jane Doe. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP5310."

In September of 2024, the Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory, working with the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office, submitted forensic evidence to Othram. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract and built a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then worked to develop new investigative leads, which allowed the authorities to conduct a follow-up investigation that led to potential relatives of the woman.

"A DNA sample belonging to a possible relative was collected and subsequently compared to the DNA profile belonging to the Jane Doe. This comparison, enabled investigators to identify the woman as Karen Sue Enggas, who was born in 1952."

RIP Karen.

Links

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260804205148/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/5310#%2F5310

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=826ufmo

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Karen\_Enggas

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 14 days ago

Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ John Doe (1990)

On June 8, 1990, the body of an unidentified male was found in a holding tank at a water treatment plant in the area of South 22nd Street and Lincoln Street in Phoenix, Arizona. His remains were decomposing and severely deteriorated due to the corrosive chemicals used to clean the tank.

The John Doe is believed to have been between 16 and 19 years of age. He was approximately 6'0", had brown hair and was originally described as both Caucasian and Hispanic. Clothing items found near the body include a blue tank top which reads "Colorado University Boulder", a white sweatshirt with 1988 Olympic logos, white tennis shoes with black laces (size 12) and black pants. Found in the pockets of the pants was a matchbook and papers associated with "Barley's Restaurant". It should be noted that this clothing was found near the body and it is uncertain whether it belonged to the decedent.

He had had multiple reconstructions over the years, starting with a clay reconstruction (viewable on the Unidentified Wiki), followed by a sketch, and finally a reconstruction by the NCMEC. He is currently undergoing testing by the DNA Doe Project. He is believed to be of French-Canadian heritage with familial roots in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Maine. He was buried at Twin Buttes Cemetery in Tempe.

Details of NamUs #UP1924

NCMEC Number: 1191114

ME/C Case Number: 90-1274

Biological Sex: Male

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Estimated Age Range (Years): 16-19

Estimated Year of Death: 1990

Estimated PMI: Days

Height: 6' 0" (72 inches), Estimated

Weight: Cannot Estimate

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: unknown

Clothing: Blue tank top with "Colorado University Boulder" on the front; a white sweatshirt with the 1988 Olympic logos; black pants

Footwear: White tennis shoes with black laces

Other: Papers and matchbook for "Barley's Restaurant"

Exclusions (missing persons who have been ruled out):

Christopher Harvey

Doug Meer

Fabian Del Rosario

Santana Ornelas

Rob Kellar

Scott Hilbert

Links

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/1924/details?nav

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=1660umaz

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Phoenix\_John\_Doe\_(1990)

Findagrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89337299/john-doe

DNA Doe Project:

https://dnadoeproject.org/case/phoenix-john-doe-1990/

u/blinkycosmocat — 15 days ago

"Everyone knew her as Janet." Who was Lorain County, OH Jane Doe (1965)?

On October 25, 1965, two teenage boys met a pair of young women at a drive-in restaurant in Elyria, Ohio. One was a 20-year-old local woman identified as Rita Billingsley, while the other was a newcomer that Rita knew as Janet Atkins. The two women were getting a ride to Rita's workplace from the teenagers when the car crashed into a ditch on Mills Road near Jaycox Road outside of the town of Avon.

The two teenagers and Rita survived, the accident but Janet was killed. Rita told the police that the dead woman's name was Janet Atkins, but the situation soon became complicated. The police searched her purse and found papers containing two additional names, Janet Akenson and Janet Tralley.

The police looked into "Janet's" activities in Elyria and determined that she had been in town since September. When they checked the rooming houses and motels and obtained receipts, they found that she had used different names at those establishments. People in town who had encountered her said she had given other names. However, she was consistent with her first name; a police official was quoted as saying, "Everyone knew her as Janet, though."

Articles about "Janet" appeared in two area newspapers, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but these did not lead to her identification. Meanwhile, after an examination, her body was taken to a funeral home in the nearby town of North Ridgeville. There, several people with missing relatives viewed her to see if she was their lost loved one but to no avail. Interestingly, a death certificate for a "Janet Adkins" who died on 10/25/1965 had been issued in Lorain County, but maybe this was entered before the authorities realized she had multiple names?

Details of NamUs UP161251

ME/C Case Number: 10-65-308

Possible First Name: Janet

Possible Last Name: Atkins

Nickname/Alias: Janet Adkins

Estimated Age Range (Years): 18-30 [contemporary articles estimated her age as 21 or 22.]

Height: 5' 4"(64 inches), Measured [5'6" in the newspaper stories]

Weight: 115 lbs, Measured

Condition of Remains: Recognizable face

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Hazel

Other distinctive physical characteristic: Showed evidence of childbirth

No description of clothing or shoes was included.

Circumstances of Recovery: Jane Doe was riding in a vehicle which overturned in a ditch. Law enforcement and the Coroner were unable to confirm her identity.

Unfortunately there's no photo or reconstruction to help with this case, which was recently added to NamUs. That she showed evidence of childbirth is interesting - had she given up a child for adoption, or had she been married?

Links:

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/161251

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Lorain\_County\_Jane\_Doe

The Fremont News-Messenger: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-messenger-woman-called-janet/202988585/

Cleveland Plain Dealer: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-police-seek-identity-o/203002000/

u/blinkycosmocat — 16 days ago

Ottawa County, OH Jane Doe (1975)

On the evening of October 22, 1975, duck hunters discovered the nude body of a woman floating in Mud Creek, four (or 3, depending on the source) miles south and east of Oak Harbor, in northern Ohio. A local news report mentioned that the site, though relatively remote, wasn't far from Sandusky Bay, where teenagers used to hang out.

An examination determined that the remains belonged to a white female, estimated age 20-30 years old (per the Doe Network), though a contemporary newspaper report estimated an age range of 30-35 years. The examiner determined that she had drowned, but that the death was suspicious because she was discovered nude. She was thought to have died 48-72 hours prior to discovery. While NamUs indicates that she was unrecognizable due to decomposition, a newspaper clipping from the time did include a postmortem photo. The weather for the county in October 1975 listed low temperatures in the mid-40s Fahrenheit and high temperatures of 64 degrees, but the high temperature for that time of the month was probably on the cooler side of that range.

The woman was white, 5'4" (5'3 - 5'5", depending on source) and weighed 140 lb. She had medium-length, reddish-brown hair and brown or hazel eyes. She had given birth to at least one child, possibly in the year before she died. While she was unclothed, she was wearing a wire ring with a love knot or Celtic knot design; she also had pierced ears. She was also a smoker with poor dental health and a gap in her front teeth.

She was buried at Ottawa County Cemetery after the authorities were unable to identify her. The FBI had reopened her case in the fall of 2016, though no match resulted. In the fall of 2025, the Ohio Bureau of Investigation had announced that they were pursuing investigative genetic genealogy to restore her name.

Details of NamUs UP15854

ME/C Case Number: 9476

Biological Sex: Female

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Estimated Age Range (Years): 20-30

Estimated Year of Death: 1975

Estimated PMI: 2 Days

Height: 5' 4" (64 inches), Estimated

Weight: 140 lbs, Estimated

Inventory of Remains: All parts recovered

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction [per NamUs; however, a local newspaper did publish a postmortem photo, so likely recognizable]

Hair Color and Description: Medium-length brown or reddish hair

Eye Color: Brown or hazel eyes

Piercing: Pierced ears

Other distinctive physical characteristics: She was a smoker.

She had given birth to at least one child, possibly in the year before she died.

No tattoos, no scars, and no birthmarks, per the Doe Network.

Dentition: poor dental condition, gap in front teeth

Jewelry: A ring, described as a wire love knot.

Exclusion, per the Unidentified Wiki: Brenda Davidson

Investigative Agencies:

Agency Name: Ottawa County Sheriff's Office

Agency Contact Person: Unknown

Agency Phone Number: 419-734-4404

Agency E-mail: Unknown

Agency Case Number: 9476

Agency Name: Federal Bureau of Investigation - Toledo

Agency Contact Person: Unknown

Agency Phone Number: 419-243-6122

Links

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/15854

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=1622ufoh

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Ottawa\_County\_Jane\_Doe\_(1975)

Sandusky Register, 2016 article:

https://sanduskyregister.com/news/55525/fbi-digs-into-local-cold-case/

Cleveland19.com 2025 article (warning: postmortem photo):

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/10/22/unidentified-new-methods-bring-hope-50-year-old-ottawa-county-jane-doe-case-could-be-solved/

Hopefully she will get her name back soon.

u/blinkycosmocat — 19 days ago

After 51 Years, North Bay (Ontario) John Doe (1975) is Identified as Claude Hamilton Brownscombe

From DNASolves.com and CP24.com: On June 3, 1975, the skull of an unidentified man was found in a wooded swampland area behind the former Bomarc missile base near North Bay, Ontario, by students working with the Ministry of the Environment. Investigators recovered the remains and investigated the scene, but did not find anything that would help identify the man.

An examination of the remains led to an estimated age of 24 to 75 years (35-65 years old per the Doe Network)⁸ and that the person had died 1-2 years before. The authorities could not determine a cause of death due to the limited remains but did not think that foul play was involved. "Efforts to identify the man, including forensic testing over the years, were unsuccessful. Despite continued investigative work, the case went cold, and the man went unidentified for more than 50 years.

Details of the case were entered into the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR) as case number 2005006199. NCMPUR provides specialized investigative services in support of missing persons and unidentified remains investigations across Canada."

In 2023, investigators with the North Bay Police Service re-opened the case. North Bay Poice Service officials, working together with Toronto Police Service and the RCMP, submitted evidence to Othram, whose scientists worked to developed a DNA profile from the limited remains. This profile was then used in a forensic genetic genealogy search.

New leads that resulted from the search sparked a follow-up investigation that located two surviving family members in the US, a great-niece and a great-nephew. Their DNA submissions resulted in the identification of the man as Claude Hamilton Brownscombe, born on October 24, 1896 in Uxbridge, Ontario. Brownscombe had been a WWI veteran and had lived in Timmins, appearing in voter lists in 1949 and 1957. His great-nephew recalled that he had lived a quiet life in a cabin in northern Ontario.

“While our thoughts are with Mr. Brownscombe’s family and loved ones, we hope this identification provides answers and a measure of closure after so many years,” said North Bay police Chief Daryl Longworth.

RIP Claude.

**Links**

CP24.com: https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2026/07/30/human-remains-found-50-years-ago-near-north-bay-belonged-to-first-world-war-veteran/

Doe Network: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=3253UMON

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Claude\_Brownscombe

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 19 days ago

Wayne County, MI Jane Doe 1993 (found with a 1986 calendar and a shirt with a unicorn on it)

On September 10, 1993, a mushroom hunter discovered skeletonized human remains in a wooded area just off the exit ramp from I-275 and Ecorse Roads in Van Buren Twp. Michigan. The authorities were contacted, collected the remains, and searched the site. The remains were incomplete but some of the person's clothing and effects were located.

Examination of the remains revealed they were female, in their mid 20's with good oral hygiene. A 1986 calendar was found in a wallet adjacent to the remains, as was a small black t-shirt with the logo of a unicorn on clouds under a rainbow with "Dreams Begin where Rainbows End" printed on it. The wallet also had rainbow and unicorn logos on it.

**Details of NamUs UP8213**

ME/C Case Number: 93-7775

Biological Sex: Female

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Estimated Age Range (Years): 20-35

Height: 5' 2"(62 inches), Estimated

Weight: Cannot Estimate

Inventory of Remains: One or more limbs not recovered

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial skeletal parts only

Her hair and eye colors could not be determined.

Clothing: Black t-shirt (size small) with a Unicorn and Rainbow and "Dreams begin where rainbows end" printed upon it.

Accessories: Blue bi-fold wallet with picture of clouds, a unicorn, and a rainbow. A calender from 1986 was in the wallet.

As of 2023, she was undergoing testing by Identifinders International. Pictures of her shirt and wallet don't appear to be available online unfortunately.

**Links**

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/8213

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Wayne\_County\_Jane\_Doe\_(1993)

Her Doe Network ID is 4925UMMI, whenever the site comes back up.

A possible example of the shirt design: https://imgur.com/a/1TqCkI9

u/blinkycosmocat — 21 days ago

After 14 Years, Roy, Weber County (UT) John Doe (2012) is identified as Terry Richardson Chawk

From DNASolves.com: "On May 7, 2012, the remains of an unidentified man were discovered in Roy, Utah. At approximately 9:00 a.m., employees with the Utah Department of Transportation investigating an odor under the I-15/Riverdale Road overpass found a human body lying on a ledge beneath the overpass in what appeared to be a transient camp. Investigators estimated the man was in his late 50s to early 60s, and his remains were in an advanced state of decomposition. Efforts to identify the man, including fingerprint analysis, were unsuccessful."

Per articles on KSL and Salt Lake City Weekly, a few people had interacted with him and tried to help him, describing him as a kind man who, however, never opened up about his past. None knew his full name, and either knew him as "Terry" or "Coffee Bob."

"Despite continued investigative work, the case went cold, and he remained unidentified for 14 years. The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP10461."

In 2023, investigators with the Utah Department of Public Safety submitted evidence to Othram, where scientists successfully extracted DNA and developed a comprehensive profile for the man. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team were able to to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement. The key was a DNA profile that was voluntarily uploaded to a genealogical database in early July 2026, per an article from ABC4.com.

With the new lead, investigators conducted a follow-up investigation that led to a possible sibling of the man who provided a reference DNA sample. The investigation has now identified the man as Terry Richardson Chawk, who was originally from Florida. Chawk's family has been in close contact with law enforcement and has arranged to have his remains returned.

RIP Terry.

**Links**

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260207022458/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/10461#%2F10461

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Terry\_Chawk

Salt Lake City Weekly: https://www.cityweekly.net/news/how-dna-experts-and-law-enforcement-uncover-hidden-identities-21021936/

KSL article #1: https://www.ksl.com/article/51603990/how-a-new-utah-cold-case-unit-solved-its-1st-case-with-dna-genealogy

KSL article #2: https://www.ksl.com/article/51603211/human-remains-found-in-2012-in-roy-identified

ABC4.com: https://www.abc4.com/utah-cold-cases/remains-roy-overpass-2012-identified/

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 21 days ago

After Decades, Arvin Jane Doe (1978) is now identified as Michelle Collier

From DNASolves.com: "On June 21, 1978, skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found in a shallow grave uncovered during cultivation of a vineyard near Arvin in Kern County, California. The Kern County Sheriff's Office Coroner Division responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. It was determined that the remains likely belonged to a young female between the ages of 13 and 24 years old. The remains were in a partial skeletal state, and because of their condition, the young woman could not be identified.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the Jane Doe could not be identified and became known as Arvin Jane Doe (1978). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP13916. Forensic constructions were developed and released to the public in hopes that someone would come forward with information about the young woman's identity."

In 2025, the Kern County Sheriff-Coroner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram, where scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then built a comprehensive DNA profile for the young woman. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

A follow-up investigation was conducted that led investigators to potential relatives of the Arvin Jane Doe. This investigation led to the positive identification of the Jane Doe, who is now known to be Michelle Louise Collier, of Fresno, California. Collier was 15 years old at the time of her death. Following Collier's identification, her remains were disinterred and provided to her family for final disposition.

RIP Michelle.

**Links**

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260203090722/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/13916#%2F13916

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Arvin\_Jane\_Doe

(The Doe Network site is down atm.)

Bakersfieldnow.com, with more info about Michelle:

https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/kern-county-sheriffs-office-to-hold-press-conference-on-1978-jane-doe-cold-case-update-kern-county-california

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 23 days ago

‘A miracle’: Teen murdered nearly 26 years ago identified through genetic genealogy (CNN). An interesting article that discusses the cases of Tiffany Bradley and Cheryl Lynn Edwards, as well as a discussion of topics relating to identifying Does and genetic genealogy.

Summary: Besides discussing Tiffany Bradley's disappearance, the effort to identify Chelsea Jane Doe, and the identification of Cheryl Lynn Edwards as Clinton County Jane Doe, the article also has quotes from David Mittelman, the founder and CEO of Othram, CeCe Moore, the founder of DNAJustice, and Margaret Press, co-founder of the DNADoe Project.

There's a good section that details the development of genetic genealogy and the challenges associated with identifying Black unidentified people, including lack of representation in publicly available databases, distrust of law enforcement, and a lack of older records due to slavery.

The article also discusses the external issues associated with identifying Does, like how Doe cases that aren't related to a crime may be deprioritized, the cost of genetic genealogy, and the sheer number of UID cases on NamUs [let alone UID cases not on NamUs]. It also addresses the issue of DNA testing firms not allowing law enforcement to access their databases and the need for more people to upload their DNA to the publicly available sources.

I thought this article does a good job of covering its topics, and it's definitely worth reading for those who have recently become interested in researching missing persons and Does.

cnn.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 26 days ago

Hillsborough County's Wimauma John Doe (2012) is identified as Cartis Jackson

From DNASolves.com (and Fox13 Tampa Bay via yahoo.com): On September 21, 2012, the remains of an unidentified man were discovered in a wooded area near the northwest corner of Bassa Street and North Street in Wimauma, Florida. "The individual was found in an advanced state of decomposition, making identification through traditional investigative methods difficult. Investigators believed the man may have experienced homelessness, but despite extensive efforts, his identity remained unknown for years.

In an effort to generate new investigative leads, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office District 13 and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office teamed with Othram to apply advanced forensic DNA technology to the case." Scientists at Othram developed a comprehensive DNA profile suitable for forensic genetic genealogy.

The HCSO Cold Case Unit and Othram Labs began forensic genetic genealogy research, which enabled investigators at HCSO and Othram to identify the man as Cartis Jackson. Jackson was born in Georgia in 1946, moved to Florida with his family as an infant, and had been estranged from his family since 2005."

RIP Carter.

Links

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260219072934/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/10785#%2F10785

Doe Network, includes a reconstruction: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=1839umfl

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Cartis\_Jackson

Fox13 Tampa Bay via yahoo.com: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/dna-technology-identifies-3-men-162812934.html

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 27 days ago

Clayton County, GA John Doe (2024) is identified as Gerald Fletcher

From DNASolves.com: On February 3, 2024, "the [partial] skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found in Jonesboro, a city in Clayton County, Georgia, just south of Atlanta. Two men were collecting deer stands near a creek in a rural part of the county when they found what they believed were human remains. The Clayton County Police Department responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. They collected the remains and a pair of black shorts and a pair of boxer underwear only. They determined the remains were an adult man, but few other details could be determined about the man, such as his approximate age.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Clayton County John Doe (2024). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP123477."

In 2025, investigators teamed with Othram to use genetic genealogy to identify the remains. Officials with the Clayton County Police Department submitted forensic evidence to Othram's laboratory in Texas. Othram scientists worked to develop a DNA extract from the provided skeletal remains to build a DNA profile of the man. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then conducted research that resulted in new investigative leads about the man's identity.

"Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Gerald Fletcher born on February 12, 1962."

Gerald Fletcher, a 60-year-old resident of Jonesboro, Georgia was last seen the morning of September 30, 2022. He was walking in red shorts, a pink shirt and black slides near his residence on Flint River Road in Jonesboro, GA. He was reported missing in December 2022; per a media report, he was said to be in the early stages of Alzheimer's and dementia.

RIP Gerald.

Links

Archived NamUs: https://web.archive.org/web/20260218161915/https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/123477#%2F123477

Unidentified Wiki:

https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Gerald\_Fletcher

Fox5 Atlanta:

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/police-searching-for-missing-man-with-alzheimers-dementia

dnasolves.com
u/blinkycosmocat — 29 days ago

Boise, ID John Doe 2021, aka "Christopher Crosswell" or "Daryl Taylor"

On February 3, 2021, a local transient man living in Boise, Ada County, ID was found deceased; the exact details of his discovery are unknown. He lived in local hotels or in the woods since he had moved to the Boise area in 2019. He was known as Christopher Robbin (or Robin) Crosswell, a name he had started using around 2012, but he had also used the name Daryl Taylor starting in 1995 until he assumed the Crosswell name. Neither of these names could be verified.

It was reported that he lived in western Oregon prior to coming to Boise and that he spent time in Florida and Texas before he moved to Oregon and later Idaho.

His age is undetermined but was reported as 53 years. Unable to establish his date of birth but possible years of birth are 1962 and 1968. His true identity was unknown at the time of his death.

Details of NamUs #UP80975, ME/C Case Number 210212-411PA

Biological Sex: Male

Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Nickname/Alias: Christopher Crosswell; Daryl Taylor

Estimated Age Group: Adult - Pre 60

Height: 5' 2"(62 inches), Measured

Weight: 112 lbs, Measured

Condition of Remains - Recognizable face

Hair Color: Brown, graying

Facial Hair Description: Full beard & mustache.

Eye Color: Hazel

Tattoos: 3 tattoos (2 very faint) - one of a skull with beard and mustache

Links

NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/80975?nav

Unidentified Wiki: https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Christopher\_Crosswell

u/blinkycosmocat — 30 days ago