In a groundbreaking case that merges the fields of genealogy DNA testing and forensic science, the skeletal remains of a body known as John Doe have been identified, bringing closure to a mystery that haunted investigators for years. This remarkable story not only showcases the power of DNA technology but also highlights the importance of community engagement in solving cold cases.
In December 1986, hikers in Cordes Junction, a tiny hamlet in Yavapai County, Arizona, north of Phoenix, discovered the skeletal remains of an unidentified young person in a field approximately 150 yards behind the Hub Cafe. After conducting an examination, the Yavapai County Office of the Medical Examiner concluded that the bones belonged to a male who had been murdered.
Victim’s Description When Found
The victim had sustained two separate fractures to his skull as a result of blunt force trauma to his head. White socks, blue pants, a leather belt, a plaid western shirt, and a t-shirt featuring a shark logo inscribed with the comical words “Frank’s Shark Killers” and an address in Riviera Beach, Florida, were among the clothing items discovered with the remains.
The remains were badly decomposed, and traditional forensic methods yielded limited results. Local law enforcement agencies were faced with a dilemma: how could they identify the child and find justice for a life cut short?
The Yavapai County Medical Examiner collaborated with Othram in 2024 to initiate the usage of cutting-edge DNA testing to help identify the unidentified individual. Othram’s lab in The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston, Texas, received the forensic evidence.
To create a thorough DNA profile, Othram scientists employed forensic-grade genome sequencing after successfully extracting DNA from the skeletal bones. The profile was then used in a genealogical search by Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team to produce additional investigative leads in the case, including the identification of possible relatives of the unidentified person.
Othram Forensic Lab Worker: Image Credit: Othram Website
Family Relationship Testing
Othram’s KinSNP Rapid Relationship Testing was used to compare the DNA profile of John Doe with a reference DNA sample obtained from a possible relative.
A biological relationship was established by this comparison, and the man is now known as Arthur Humphrey, born on December 9, 1939. In 1986, Humphrey would have been around 47 years old. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is still looking into the case as a homicide because it’s unknown when he exactly passed away.
The Rise of Genetic Genealogy
Genetic Genealogy, a newfound superior method, has revolutionized how cold cases are solved. By analyzing DNA samples from the remains and comparing them to public genealogical databases, investigators can trace familial connections and ultimately identify the deceased. This innovative approach has gained momentum in recent years, solving cases seemingly unsolvable for decades.
Here are some of the most notorious cold cases that have been solved decades later with advancements in genealogy technology:
The Golden Gate Killer: After a protracted terror campaign in California in the 1970s and 1980s claimed the lives of over 106 people, the Golden State Killer went decades without being caught. At least 13 murders, 60 house invasions, and 50 rapes were carried out by the elusive murderer, also known as the Original Night Stalker, the Visalia Ransacker, and the East Area Rapist.
Boy in a Box: The brutally battered body of a little kid was discovered in a cardboard box in a Philadelphia forest in 1957. Despite decades of searching, the young victim was never identified, earning him the moniker “America’s Unknown Child.” Investigators were given permission by a court in 2019 to exhume the boy’s body for contemporary DNA analysis and genetic genealogy. After a second cousin once removed uploaded DNA to a public database, investigators were able to identify the boy’s mother and father. After 65 years, the boy was formally identified by authorities in 2022 as Joseph Augustus Zarelli, who was born on January 13, 1953. The identity of his killer is still a mystery.
11 Cold Cases Solved Decades Later Thanks to New Technology: Buzzfeed News published a list of several homicide or missing person cases solved by genealogy DNA:
The Identification Process
In this Arizona case, forensic experts extracted DNA from the skeletal remains and uploaded the information to genealogy databases like GEDmatch and AncestryDNA. Within weeks, distant relatives belonging to the identified victim, Arthur Humprey, emerged.
As stated, the story behind Humphrey’s disappearance had faded from public memory. With the new information, investigators were able to piece together his last known whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Community Involvement: A Key Element
The success of this identification process was not just due to advanced technology but also the involvement of the community. Local volunteers, genealogists, and even amateur sleuths played a crucial role.
Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used in this case was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories.
NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International (RTI). Othram is grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.
NewsBlaze Senior Crime & Criminal Justice Reporter C. Walker can be reached at Houstonnewstoday@yahoo.com
