Summary
In March 2023, the driver of a semi truck reported to authorities that they struck a pedestrian while heading southbound in the left lane of Interstate 435 onto the ramp of I-70. Interstate 435 is a beltway that forms a loop around the Kansas City metropolitan area. The driver reported that the individual walked out in front of the truck. The Kansas City Fire Department responded to the scene and confirmed that the individual was deceased. The scene was secured by the Kansas City Police Department and the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office was dispatched. It was confirmed that the individual was a white male. The unknown man wore a red jacket, two black jackets, a pair of black socks and shoes, two black shirts, a black belt, and blue jeans.
Investigators were unable to identify the man and he was classified as a John Doe. The following month, case details were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP102203.
In September 2023, the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. 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 the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office.
Using these new leads, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading to genetic relatives of the man. A reference sample was collected from a potential relative and compared to the DNA profile of the man. This comparison confirmed the identity of Jackson County John Doe as Logan McNaul Foster. Foster, originally from California, was born on March 15, 1997.
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.