Summary
In November 2023, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in the New Haven Green in New Haven, Connecticut. New Haven Green is a 16-acre, privately owned park and recreation area located in downtown New Haven. The New Haven Police Department responded to the scene where they determined the remains were that of a black male with a mustache and beard. The man was no older than 60, stood approximately 5’8” tall, weighed 169 pounds, and had several scars on his back, abdomen, and one over his right eyebrow. No other identifying characteristics could be determined.
After the remains were recovered, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP112292. Despite investigators’ work to identify the man, his identity remains a mystery.
In 2024, as part of an ongoing collaboration aimed at solving the backlog of cold cases in Connecticut, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner partnered with Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will perform records research and use genetic genealogy to develop new leads in the case. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the New Haven Police Department by calling 860-679-3980 and referencing agency case number 23-21842.
The New Haven Police Department has contributed a portion of the funds for this case and a DNASolves crowdfund has been established to cover the casework costs. Anyone can contribute here.
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.