Summary
In November 2022, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered by a tree trimming service in Knoxville, Tennessee. Investigators arrived on the scene and confirmed the remains to be a human skull. A thorough search of the surrounding area was conducted, but limited due to dense brush, fallen leaves, and trees. The remains were sent to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, where forensic experts determined that the individual was a male between 20 and 35 years old, standing between 5'4" and 6' tall.
In December 2022, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP98486. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the man, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of investigative leads.
In 2023, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research. During the course of this research, personnel from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center were able to utilize NamUs Missing Persons records and the investigation ultimately led to the identity of Cody S. Wilhite, born January 8th, 1991. He had been missing since 2020 from the Knoxville area and his missing person record was in NamUs as MP73197.
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.