Summary
In September 2023, the partial skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered by a maintenance diver at the Lawrence Hydroelectric Plant in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Lawrence is located north of Boston on the Merrimack River. The remains were found approximately 60 feet underwater along with a blue shirt, a black jacket, and a pair of thermal underwear pants, all of which were found against the water intake grate. The remains were sent to the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where it was determined the individual was a male who stood between 5’3” and 5’ 11” tall and estimated to be between 18 and 39 years old.
In December 2023, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP113405. 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 2024, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to 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 used this profile to conduct genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a potential relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man. His identity is not being released at this time.
This identification represents the sixth case in the State of Massachusetts where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently in Revere, Massachusetts, Steven Watson Lerner was identified last month after being found in 2020.
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.