Summary

In January 2024, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found by a hunter in the remote desert mountains south of Tucson in southern Arizona's Pima County. The largest landmark in the area that the remains were found is Keystone Peak, a mountain with an elevation of 6,188 feet. The remains included a skull with an upper left canine did not erupt resulting in the person having a noticeable "gap" in the upper row of teeth. The remains were found with several clothes including dark denim pants, a dark shirt with a collar and logo, two pair of underwear, a sock and a camouflage-patterned mini-backpack. The logo on the shirt was a bun with the words, "La Hermosa Panado--Elabaramos pan para Hot Dog"

Investigators believe the individual was a man, between the ages of 30 to 45, who stood 5'1" to 5'5" and likely died the year before. They believe he was of mixed ancestry, possibly Hispanic and/or Native American. Despite the efforts of investigators, the man could not be identified. Details of the case were entered into NamUs as UP126288.

The Pima County Medical Examiners Office has teamed with Othram in hopes that advanced forensic DNA testing could generate new leads. Othram’s scientists will extract DNA from the forensic evidence and use Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile suitable for forensic genetic genealogical research. A DNASolves® crowdfunding campaign has been launched to cover the costs of this specialized testing and analysis.

Your support can make a difference in identifying this individual and reconnecting him with his family. Please consider donating to the DNASolves® crowdfund 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.