Summary
In August 1986, the remains of an unidentified individual were found in Crater Lake near Conroe, Texas. Crater Lake is located in a rural area east of Interstate 45 and was formed when an oil well exploded in 1933, leaving behind a crater that is now filled with water. Investigators determined that the remains were those of an adult white male between the ages of twenty and thirty-five years at his time of death. The man was 5’6” tall and approximately 132 pounds. It was determined that the man’s manner of death was homicide.
The man had several tattoos including the name “Baby Dawn” on his upper right arm , the name “Liz” on his upper left arm, and a small devil with a painted tail on his left forearm. Despite these unique characteristics, the man could not be identified and in 2008, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP4239. A forensic sketch depicting how the man may have looked during his life was created and released to the public in hopes that new leads about his identity would be generated. The man’s identity was not determined and the case went cold.
In 2023, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office submitted skeletal remains to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the homicide victim. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
Using these new leads, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and made contact with potential relatives of the unknown man. This investigation led to the identification of the homicide victim as Clarence Wilson, who was born February 18, 1952. The investigation into Wilson’s death is ongoing. If you knew Clarence or have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you’re asked to contact Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office by calling 936-760-5800.
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.