Summary
On July 26, 2021 investigators with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the Joshua Falls electrical substation in Lynchburg, Virginia. The site is situated in a rural area near the James River. A human skull was discovered by workers who had excavated and placed grass seeded in an area where new towers were xto be erected. A search of the area was conducted, leading to the discovery of additional remains. It was determined that the remains belonged to a Black man who was likely between 40 and 75 years old when he died. There were no other identifying characteristics that could be determined.
Following the recovery of the man’s remains, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP87033. Despite investigators’ efforts to identify the man, his identity remains a mystery.
Now in 2025, Othram is working to use advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy in hopes that the man can finally be identified. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will perform records research and use genetic genealogy to develop new leads in the case. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Campbell County Sheriff's Office by calling 434-332-9708 and referencing agency case number W2021-97398.
The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office have contributed a portion of the necessary funds for this case, and a DNASolves® crowdfund has been created to raise funds for the remaining casework costs. Anyone can contribute here.
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.