Summary
In April 1992, deputies with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office observed a large fire in a field near I-15 and 21st Street in West Haven, Utah. West Haven is located approximately 35 miles north of Salt Lake City. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies discovered that an abandoned boat was engulfed in flames. Inside of the boat, deputies observed the badly-burned body of an unidentified individual. The individual’s body was transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Salt Lake City where an autopsy was performed. It was determined that the remains were that of a 30 to 45 year old male, who was approximately 6'1" tall. Upon investigation, the circumstances surrounding the fire and death of the individual were found to be suspicious. 
Over the years, attempts were made to identify the subject, including submitting his DNA into national databases, but all attempts were unsuccessful. Dental records of multiple individuals who were reported missing from surrounding areas and states were examined, but a match to the man could not be made. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP9400. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify Weber County John Doe, the case went cold for 32 years.
In 2024, the Weber Metro Cold Case Task Force was formed. Multiple detectives with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office serve on the task force, and began to review this case. Using funding provided by the Utah Department of Public Safety, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office teamed with Othram in hopes of identifying the man through the use of advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy.
In 2024, forensic evidence was submitted to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram's laboratory, scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then 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 Weber County John Doe. A 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 Weber County John Doe, who is now known to be thirty-year-old Kevin Lynn Capps, born February 27th, 1962. The investigation revealed that at the time of Kevin’s death, he left behind a daughter who was four years old. Detectives made contact with Kevin’s daughter to provide her with an update on the case.
Anyone with information relating to Kevin and the circumstances leading up to his death, is asked to contact Detective Ty Hebdon at 801-778-6646 or by using the Weber County Sheriff’s Office's online reporting system at webercountyutah.gov/sheriff.
Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used by Othram in this case was provided by the DPS Byrnes JAG Community Project Funding (CPF) Grant, 15PBJA-23-GG-00292-BRND advocated for by Utah Congressman Burgess Owens in 2023.
The identification of Kevin Lynn Capps represents the third case in the State of Utah where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other Utah cases, visit DNASolves.
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.