Summary
In January 2022, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Grandview, Missouri. Grandview is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The Grandview Police Department launched an investigation to identify the person. Later in February 2022, additional remains belonging to the individual were discovered. It was determined that the remains were that of a White female, estimated to be between 4’9” and 5’4” tall. No other identifying information could be determined for the woman.
Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP95540. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the woman, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of investigative leads.
In hopes that advanced DNA testing could help identify the woman, the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown woman. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the woman. Reference DNA samples were collected from the potential relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown woman. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Ashley May Willis, who was born in 1987. Willis was missing and had last been seen in 2021.
The identification of Ashley May Willis represents the 17th case in the State of Missouri where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other Missouri cases, visit DNASolves.
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.