Summary
On June 2, 1998, the partially skeletonized remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in rural Garfield County, Utah, near the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. A member of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation found the remains during a search for three fugitives, and investigators began collecting evidence and investigating. The remains were determined to belong to an adult Hispanic male between 25 and 34 years old who was believed to have been at the site for approximately two years prior to discovery. No identification was found, and because of the condition of the remains, there was no way to identify the individual at the time.
Despite investigative efforts, the person could not be identified and became known as Garfield County John Doe (1998). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP9835.
Recently, the Utah Department of Public Safety State Bureau of Investigation submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the person. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the person. Law enforcement used this profile in a forensic genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads in the case.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the person, who is now known to be Pedro Calderon Marioni, who would have been 31 years old at the time of his death.
Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can aid ongoing forensic investigations by joining the DNASolves® database. Expanding the pool of available DNA data increases the likelihood of successful identifications, helping to reunite families with their missing loved ones and resolve cases that have remained unsolved for years.
This is the 8th publicly announced case in the State of Utah where officials leveraged Othram's identity inference pipeline. Learn more 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.