Summary
In May 2018, the partial skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered near Silver Lakes Drive in Lawson, Colorado. Lawson is located west of Denver on Interstate 70. Local children found the skull along with a tooth fragment by a power pole. The skull was described as missing its mandible, but was otherwise intact. A forensic anthropologist examined the skull and determined that it belonged to a male of European ancestry. The examination found no evidence of trauma, and it was determined that the individual had been deceased for at least four months, though more likely for one or more years.
An STR profile was developed in hopes of making an identification. With no match to a known individual, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP65792. 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 Colorado Bureau of Investigation submitted forensic evidence to Othram, in The Woodlands, Texas, in hopes that advanced DNA testing could help to identify the man. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. After successfully completing the profile, the DNA profile was delivered to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation so that new leads in the case could be developed using forensic genetic genealogy by their team.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be David Michael Crady, born October 4, 1955. At this time, the investigation into David Crady’s death remains open. There are no leads regarding the circumstances of Mr. Crady’s death or how the skull ended up at the discovery site. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office at 303-679-2393.
The identification of David Michael Crady represents the fifth case in the State of Colorado where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently, in Golden, Colorado, Jefferson County John Doe (2000), whose remains were found on a hiking trail, was identified after two decades.
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.