Summary

In June 2022, the remains of an unidentified individual were found in the Mississippi River at Portageville, Missouri. Portageville is a city in New Madrid County in the southeastern border of Missouri. Deputies with the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office responded and recovered the remains, which were transported to the medical examiner for autopsy. The remains belonged to a white male between the ages of 18 and 29, approximately 5’10” in height and were estimated to have been in the river for a minimum of two to three months. No signs of trauma were noted. A traditional STR DNA profile was developed for comparison to missing persons, but no matches were returned.

Over the next two years, New Madrid County law enforcement officials worked diligently to identify Portageville John Doe, looking into potential missing persons matches and following up on tips provided by the public. Unfortunately, none of these leads resulted in a positive identification. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP96458.

In June of 2024, New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jackie Hays contacted Dr. Jennifer Bengtson, professor of anthropology at nearby Southeast Missouri State University, to consult on the case. Dr. Bengtson and her students traveled to Portageville and met with Detective Hays and Coroner George Delisle to examine the remains and select samples for further testing. They completed an updated dental inventory and analysis and then entered the data into NamUs. They also prioritized forensic samples for advanced DNA testing. Working with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office teamed with Othram to use advanced DNA technology to help identify the man. The forensic samples were sent to Othram, where scientists were able to build a comprehensive profile using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® despite significant DNA degradation. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team worked to develop new leads in the case, which were returned to investigators.

Following up on these leads, Detective Hays discovered that one of the potential relatives in the genealogy report had made social media posts regarding a missing relative who matched the demographic profile developed for Portageville John Doe. Investigators interviewed these relatives and collected familial reference samples for confirmation testing using Othram’s KinSNP® rapid relationship testing. This testing confirmed that Portageville John Doe is Robert J. Eaton, a 26-year-old man who was reported missing from Elizabeth, Indiana, in February of 2022. Details of his missing persons case were entered into NamUs as MP89682. According NamUs, he was last seen playing at the Caesars Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana on February 20, 2022. The report noted that Eaton did not have a vehicle, and that he typically traveled by cab service.

The circumstances of Mr. Eaton’s disappearance and death are the subject of an ongoing investigation. Anyone with knowledge that might help this investigation should contact the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office. The expenses related to this case were covered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, supplemented by private donations to the Forensic Anthropology program at Southeast Missouri State University.

The identification of Robert Eaton is the 19th case in the State of Missouri where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other cases in Missouri cases, visit DNASolves.