Summary

In 1987, the skeletal remains of an unknown individual were discovered in the soil by backhoe operator while excavating a muddy creek bed in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina. The heavy machine operator found a human skull but no jaw bone or any other remains were recovered. Investigators believe it was an adult male who was under 40 years-old. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and investigators, the man's identity could not be determined, and details of the case were entered into NamUs as UP79088.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the North Carolina Unidentified Project partnered with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the John Doe. The NC Unidentified Project is an initiative that was co-founded by Board Certified Forensic Anthropologist and Director of the NC Human Identification & Forensics Analysis Lab at NC State University in Raleigh, Dr. Ann Ross and Leslie Kaufman, Forensic Genetic Genealogist with First Genes, LLC, and member of the Carolinas Cold Case Coalition, created to raise and provide funding or assistance with unidentified person cases.

In 2022, forensic evidence was submitted to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas where DNA was extracted. Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, a comprehensive DNA profile was developed for the unknown man. The DNA profile was then returned to the NC Unidentified Project, which conducted the genetic genealogy to develop investigative leads pointing to the unknown man's identity. The leads were confirmed through additional testing, which established his identity. Investigators will not released the man's name to the public at this time. Advanced DNA testing for this case was funded by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

This identification is the 12th publicly announced case in North Carolina where officials have utilized technology developed by Othram to solve a case. Visit DNASolves to learn about other North Carolina cases.