Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and Othram Team to Identify a 2017 John Doe

Investigators are working to identify a man whose skeletal remains were found in an abandoned building in 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

$62.25

raised of $7500 goal

$

  • This will completely fund the case
  • You will only be charged once
  • Your contribution will go towards this case
  • You will be charged once a month, cancel anytime
  • You can see what cases were funded with your contribution
  • Contributions will be evenly divided between all unfunded cases
Your contributions pay for lab supplies and research tools
Published March 29, 2025 by Dan Miller
SHARE

Highlights

Media Inquiries

Summary

In February 2017, the partial skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in an abandoned building on Vashti Street,a short street in a light-industrial area of Nashville, Tennessee just east of the Cumberland River. Vashti Street travels under I-65, the interstate that connects the Great Lakes region to the Gulf Coast. Investigators believe that the remains are that of an adult man of mixed ancestry who was between the ages of 40 to 65 years and 5'3" to 6'0" tall. The man was found with several pieces of clothing, including a tan/brown canvas jacket, a blue button-down jacket with an "Astro Boats" logo and black Lee jeans.

After the remains were recovered, investigators worked to determine the man's identity, but they were not able to, and six months later entered details of the case into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP16885. The man became known as Davidson County John Doe.

Now, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has partnered with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing can help identify Davidson County John Doe. At Othram, scientists will develop a suitable DNA extract that can be used with Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive DNA profile for records research and forensic genetic genealogy. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will work 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 UP16885 or agency case number 2017-0161155.

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.

Contribute Now Your contributions pay for lab supplies and research tools
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.

Similar cases

Read More
Gold Canyon, Arizona

Almost five years after being found, investigators are working to identify a man whose remains were discovered a mile from Arizona Renaissance Festival property in Pinal County.

$79.92

raised of $7500 goal
Read More
Thibodaux, Louisiana

More than four decades later, the remains of an unidentified man discovered in a swampy area near Thibodaux in LaFourche Parish, Louisiana are to be identified.

$46.93

raised of $7500 goal
Read More
Gold Canyon, Arizona

A year after being found, investigators are working to identify skeletal remains that were discovered a mile from Arizona Renaissance Festival property in Pinal County.

$52.06

raised of $7500 goal
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.