Summary
In August 1986, hunters found the remains of an unidentified man in a wooded area off of a Gilmer County stretch of the Appalachian Highway. The discovery was made five miles southwest of Ellijay, Georgia. The man's body was found with clothing, although his remains were scattered, suggesting animal activity. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for assistance. The GBI’s medical examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the manner of death as a homicide. The GBI and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office investigated numerous leads to identify the remains, but to no avail. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP11115.
In 2024, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Cold Case Unit teamed with Othram for the use of advanced DNA testing. Othram used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogy profile from the unidentified victim's aged and degraded skeletal remains. The profile was then used in a forensic genetic genealogy search to provide new leads for a follow-up investigation, which took investigators from the GBI along with the FBI across the country. This collaborative effort included officials from GBI intelligence analysts, FBI Atlanta, and FBI Atlanta’s Gainesville Resident Agency.
After contacting and testing possible relatives, KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing was used to confirm the identity of the homicide victim as David Clary, who was in his late 20s when he was killed. Clary grew up in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. At the time of his death, he made frequent trips to Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. His last known location was in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
While Clary has been identified, the criminal investigation into his death is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866, the GBI Cold Case Unit at 404-239-2106, or the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office at 706-635-4646. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the GBI by contacting the GBI Tip Line at 1-800-597-TIPS(8477) and https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.
This case represents the 21st publicly announced case in the State of Georgia where Othram technology was utilized by law enforcement to advance an investigation.
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.