Summary

In August 2009, skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area just off a main road in Clermont, the most populous city of Lake County, Florida. Investigators arrived to the scene and began their investigation. It was determined that the remains likely belonged to a man who was between 21 and 35 years old. Based on the condition of the remains, investigators believed that the man likely died several years prior. A blanket and possible men’s underwear were found nearby, though it was unclear if they were related to the case.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and he became known as Lake County John Doe. His case was entered into National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP5827.

At the same time, the Ocoee Police Department and retired Detective Michelle Grogan were investigating the 1988 disappearance of a man from Ocoee in nearby Orange County. His missing person case remained active in missing persons databases, including NamUs, and his DNA profile was maintained in CODIS.

In July 2025, working with the Clermont Police Department, Districts 5 & 24 Medical Examiner Office submitted evidence to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas where scientists determined that advanced DNA testing could assist in identifying Lake County John Doe. Upon arrival to Othram, a DNA extract was developed from the provided skeletal remains and a comprehensive DNA profile was produced using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. Othram’s forensic genetic genealogy team used this profile in a forensic search, providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.

A follow-up investigation pointed Clermont investigators to Orange County, specifically to the Ocoee area. Potential relatives of Lake County John Doe were identified for reference testing. Using Othram's KinSNP® rapid relationship testing, the DNA profile developed for the John Doe was compared to the DNA profile provided by a potential relative, which was collected by investigators at the Ocoee Police Department. This comparison combined with law enforcement's investigative efforts has now led to the identification of the man as Ernest "Ernie" Manzanares, who was born on February 2, 1965.

Manzanares was last seen on July 28, 1988 in Ocoee. Details of his missing persons case were entered into NamUs as MP38480. This investigation closes the unidentified person case in Clermont, Florida as well as the open missing person case in Ocoee, Florida.

Othram extends its thanks to Senator Jennifer Bradley and her colleagues in the legislature for fighting for dollars for law enforcement agencies to help them solve these important cases.

This is the 52nd publicly announced case in the State of Florida where officials leveraged Othram’s identity inference pipeline. Explore other cases on Othram’s website.