Summary
In November 2011, skeletal remains were discovered in a remote area of Grant County, Washington. Deputies with the Grant County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and began an investigation. Forensic examination determined the remains belonged to an adult male, likely between 25 and 45 years old, who stood approximately 5’7” tall. Investigators noted distinctive dental work, including open-faced crowns on his front incisor, and layered winter clothing, including long-sleeve shirts, jackets, and pants. The man had died from a gunshot wound in the year prior to the discovery of his remains.
An STR DNA profile was developed and entered into CODIS for comparison against known offenders and missing persons. No matches were returned. With no investigative leads, the man became known as Grant County John Doe. Case details were uploaded to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP9986, ensuring the information remained accessible to investigators and the public.
Recently, the Grant County Sheriff's Office and the King County Medical Examiner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. 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 man. 
In 2025, in partnership with the King County Medical Examiner's Office, the Sheriff’s Office sought advanced forensic DNA testing to help resolve the case. Evidence was submitted to Othram, a forensic laboratory based in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the skeletal remains and applied Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to generate a comprehensive DNA profile suitable for advanced analysis.
During the course of the investigation, investigators identified a potential relative of the man. A reference DNA sample was collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man using Othram's KinSNP® rapid relationship testing. Grant County John Doe (2011) is now known to be 39-year-old Jorgé Palayo-Rodriguez of Othello, Washington.
Anyone with information about Jorgé Palayo-Rodriguez is asked to call the Grant County Sheriff's Office at 509-762-1160, regarding case number 11GS15427.
Critical funding to enable Othram's testing in this case was made possible by Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and the Washington State Legislature. We are grateful for their support in providing this funding.
This is the 47th publicly announced case in the State of Washington where officials leveraged Othram’s identity inference pipeline. Explore other cases on 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.