Summary
On March 14, 2013, an unidentified man was found deceased at a homeless encampment near Cooper Gulch in Eureka, California. The Eureka Police Department responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. The man had suffered extensive burns. While investigators believed the man was 70-year-old William Cody Waldron, he could not be positively identified.
A portion of the man's remains as well as a sample provided from his possible sister were submitted to the California Department of Justice for comparison testing. Due to the extensive damage caused by the fire, the results of the comparison were inconclusive and investigators were unable to confirm the man's identity.
The Humboldt County Coroner's Office continued working to identify the remains. As DNA technology advanced, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office obtained grant funding to use forensic genetic genealogy to help identify unidentified remains cases, providing investigators with another opportunity to resolve the case.
In 2025, the Humboldt County Coroner's Office submitted evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram, scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the remains. Scientists then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram's forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
Using this new information, investigators with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office conducted a follow-up investigation leading them 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. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now positively identified as William Cody Waldron, born on September 23, 1942.
This is the 89th publicly announced case in the State of California where investigators have used Othram's technology to identify an individual. Learn about other cases by visiting Othram's website.
Dan Miller
Director of Customer Service
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.