Summary

On January 29, 2025, a skull and femur were discovered in a ravine near railroad tracks at the intersection of South Street and Stanley Street in New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut. The following day, investigators recovered a second femur and a rib nearby. A forensic anthropologist determined that the two femurs belonged to the same individual.

The individual was described as a white adult whose sex could not be definitively determined. Examination also revealed that upper teeth had been lost before death, with evidence of healing. No clothing or personal belongings were recovered with the remains.

The New Britain Police Department and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the case. Details were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP137910. The individual’s identity remains unknown.

Now, Othram will assist with the identification effort. At Othram, scientists will work to extract DNA from the evidence and use Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive DNA profile suitable for forensic genetic genealogy. This work will provide investigators with new leads toward identifying the individual.

A DNASolves® crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help cover the costs of this specialized testing and analysis with law enforcement providing seed funds to kickoff the campaign. Your support can help investigators work toward restoring this individual’s name and providing answers to their family.

Please consider donating to the DNASolves® crowdfund. If you have taken a consumer DNA test, you can also help by opting into forensic genetic genealogy matching to support this case and others like it.