Summary

In August 1986, a woman on a bike trip was abducted after using a public restroom at the boat launch at the Big Fishdam River near Nahma, Michigan. The woman was traveling on a 366-mile journey from her home in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. After using the restroom, a man confronted her and forced the woman into his car at gunpoint. He drove her around in his car, repeatedly sexually assaulting her.

After she was released, the woman reported the crime to local enforcement who began to investigate. That investigation included performing a sexual assault exam, resulting in the collection of male DNA. Several possible suspects were eliminated from consideration after they provided reference DNA samples. Despite an exhaustive investigation, no suspect was identified and the case went cold.

In 2024, the Michigan State Police submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the suspect. 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 suspect. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

Using these leads, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to a potential suspect. At the time of the crime, this person had been a resident of Harris, Michigan, which is an approximately 45-minute drive from the crime scene. The suspect had subsequently moved to Wisconsin shortly after the incident. Earlier this year, a Michigan judge and a Wisconsin judge each signed search warrants for law enforcement to obtain a reference DNA sample from the potential suspect. This reference sample was a match confirming the identification of the man whose DNA was recovered from crime scene evidence.

When the man provided a DNA sample for comparison testing, he was interviewed by investigators and was subsequently charged with Kidnapping and First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct by the Delta County Prosecutors Office. Investigators planned to travel to Wisconsin to arrest him on Juy 29, 2025. However, he died two days before law enforcement arrived. He was 78. The female victim waited 39 years for an answer and was notified that her attacker is now identified. The Forest County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin is investigating the man's death. This case is believed to be the oldest sexual assault case in Michigan to be solved utilizing forensic investigative genetic genealogy.

If you would like to support efforts to solve more cases like this, consider contributing your DNA data to the DNASolves database which aids law enforcement in identifying suspects and giving families the answers they deserve.

The identification of the man represents the 20th case in the State of Michigan where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Michigan cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.