Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and Othram Team to Identify a 2004 John Doe

Investigators are working to identify a man who was found near Interstate 24 in 2004, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Published April 04, 2025 by Dan Miller
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Summary

In 2004, the skeletal remains of an unknown individual were found down an embankment in the woods near a fence near I-65 in Nashville, Tennessee. The time since death was difficult to determine, but was likely at least one year prior to the discovery. Investigators believed that the remains were that of a man, who was between 35 and 60 years old. The man was wearing black jeans and a hunter green long-sleeve shirt and a thermal waffle longjohn under shirt.

Despite extensive efforts by authorities to determine the man's identity, including releasing details about the man to the media in hopes that someone would be able to identify him, they were unable to and details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP5276.

Now, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has partnered with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing can help identify the man. Othram scientists will work to develop a suitable DNA extract that can be used with Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive DNA profile to be used in records research and forensic genetic genealogy. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will perform records research and use genetic genealogy to develop new leads in the case. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department by calling 615-416-7803 and referencing UP5276.

A DNASolves® crowdfund has been created to raise funds for the casework costs. Your support can make a difference in identifying this individual and reconnecting him with his family. Please consider donating to the DNASolves fund to help cover the costs of advanced DNA testing. Additionally, if you have taken a consumer DNA test, you can contribute by opting into forensic genetic genealogy matching to assist in solving this case and others like it.

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Dan Miller

Dan Miller

Director of Customer Service

832-906-4247
2829 Technology Forest Blvd Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
media@othram.com

Dan guides law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally through every step of the forensic process—from crime scene to courtroom. He ensures investigators have the support and resources they need to navigate advanced DNA testing and maximize the impact of forensic evidence in their cases.

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About Othram Inc.

Othram is the world’s first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram’s scientists are experts at ... Read morerecovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches have failed. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. With dnasolves.com anyone can make a difference and help solve the next cold case.