Summary
In February 1980, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in a creek bed as water levels receded in Benicia, California. Benicia is a city in Solano County, California, located on the north bank of the Carquinez Strait in the northern San Francisco Bay Area. Investigators determined that the remains were that of a man who was between the ages of 20 and 40 years old, that stood between 5’8” and 6’1” tall, and weighed 155 pounds. No other identifying characteristics could be determined for the man and he was buried as John Doe #3 (1980).
In August 2016, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP15568. A facial reconstruction was developed and released to the public in hopes that it would assist in the identification of the man. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of investigative leads. In July 2023, John Doe #3 (1980)’s remains were exhumed in hopes that the man could finally be identified.
In December 2023, the Solano County Coroner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and 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 genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
Using these leads, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. A reference DNA sample was collected from a potential relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man using KinSNP® rapid relationship testing. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be 25-year-old Donald Gene Horecka. Horecka was from Las Vegas, Nevada and went missing from the area sometime in the late 1970s to early 1980s.
Anyone with information about the disappearance or death of Donald Horecka, is asked to contact contact Solano County Coroner Investigator Jessica Dew at 707-784-7500.
The identification of Donald Gene Horecka represents the 52nd case in the State of California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other California cases, visit DNASolves.
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.