Summary
In January 1993, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in a wooded area between Highway 50 and Highway 408 in Orlando, Florida. When the passerby came across the remains, he immediately went to a nearby store to contact the sheriff’s office. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. The individual's remains were transported for examination and it was determined that they were that of a white male who was 5’9” tall and between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. At the time of the man’s discovery, he was wearing a pair of blue jeans, socks, and a blue tank top.
Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP555. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the man, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of viable leads.
In 2022, the Orange County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in the Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Once the profile was successfully built, Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team produced new investigative leads that were provided to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Gregory Patrick Carpenter, born in 1947. Greg was last seen alive on December 26, 1992, and was reported missing to the Orlando Police Department that same day. It was determined that his manner of death was ruled a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's help to solve this case. If you knew Greg Carpenter or have any information about his life or the circumstances surrounding his death, please contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit at 407-836-4357 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477). Your information could be crucial in bringing justice to Greg and closure to his family.
The identification of Gregory Patrick Carpenter represents the 28th case in the State of Florida where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently in Christmas, Florida, 26-year-old homicide victim Holly Rose Leavines Garcia was identified after 20 years.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.