Summary

In May 1991, the remains of an identified individual were found floating in the Wolf River in Shelby County, Tennessee. Shelby County is the westernmost county of Tennessee and the county seat is Memphis. The man was found with a key ring that had three keys, several scraps of paper and two dimes. He was was wearing a t-shirt, a shirt, a denim jacket, pants, briefs, socks and a pair of hiking boots. Despite extensive efforts by investigators, the man could not be identified and became known as Shelby County John Doe.

Attempts to identify the man continued over the years, and in 2012, the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center submitted a sample of his remains to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI). A DNA profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, as UP5252, in hopes that the man would eventually be identified. However, there were no matches.

In 2022, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from the potential relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Stonewall Willett, born on June 1, 1945.

Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used in this case was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.

The identification of Stonewall Willett represents the 23rd case in the State of Tennessee where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram.