Marion County Coroner's Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2012 John Doe

Investigators are working to identify a man whose remains were found in White River in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Published March 29, 2025 by Dan Miller
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Summary

In July 2012, a skull without a jawbone was recovered in the White River in Indianapolis, the capital and most populous city in Indiana. Investigators believe the partial skeletal remains are that of a man who could be 35 or older. Due to the limited recovery of remains, no other identifying characteristics could be determined.

Despite extensive efforts by investigators, the man could not be identified, and he was classified as John Doe. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP12710. The Marion County Coroner's Office is now seeking to utilize advanced DNA technology in hopes of providing new leads about the man’s identity.

To do so,the Marion County Coroner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing can help to establish an identity for the man or a close relative. Othram scientists will work to develop a suitable DNA extract so that a comprehensive DNA profile can be developed for the man using Forensic Grade Genome Sequencing®. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will use this profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new leads in the case.

Anyone with information that could aid in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Marion County Coroner's Office by calling 317-327-4744 and referencing NamUs ID 12710.

A DNASolves crowdfund has been created to raise funds for the casework costs. Your support can make a difference in identifying this individual and reconnecting him with his family. Please consider donating to the DNASolves fund to help cover the costs of advanced DNA testing. Additionally, if you have taken a consumer DNA test, you can contribute by opting into forensic genetic genealogy matching to assist in solving this case and others like it.

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Dan Miller

Dan Miller

Director of Customer Service

832-906-4247
2829 Technology Forest Blvd Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
media@othram.com

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.

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About Othram Inc.

Othram is the world’s first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram’s scientists are experts at ... Read morerecovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches have failed. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. With dnasolves.com anyone can make a difference and help solve the next cold case.