Summary
In July 1980, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Markham is a town in Ontario's central York Region in the Greater Toronto Area. A local resident made the discovery between 14th and Steeles Avenues. It was determined that the remains were that of a White male, who was between the ages of 25 and 40 years. The individual became known as Markham Doe. Markham Doe weighed approximately 100 to 120 pounds, was 5' 6" tall, and had dark brown, medium-length hair. York Regional Police led the investigation into the identity of Markham Doe.
Markham Doe's remains were interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, when in 2007, the York Regional Police Cold Case Unit performed an exhumation so that a facial reconstruction could be developed. Skeletal evidence was also obtained for the purpose of DNA testing. A year later, a traditional DNA profile was developed and uploaded to the national DNA database, but there was no match to a known individual. For forty-four years, the Markham Doe's identity remained a mystery. 
With previous failed attempts to develop a comprehensive DNA profile using advanced DNA testing, York Regional Police teamed with Othram in June 2022. Forensic evidence was sent to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a suitable DNA extract for Markham Doe and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the individual. This profile was returned to investigators with the York Regional Police so that a forensic genetic genealogy search could be conducted. This search led to the development of new leads in the case.
The leads enabled a follow-up investigation, which led to possible relatives of Markham Doe. Using these new leads, Markham Doe was identified as 26-year-old William Joseph Pennell of Toronto, Ontario. Detectives learned during their investigation that Pennell had been in prison for a variety of criminal offenses, including armed robbery, which was committed while out on parole. Pennell was eventually imprisoned once again, but later escaped.
While Pennell's cause of death could not be determined, detectives believe foul play was involved. The investigation is ongoing as cold case investigators work to identify additional friends and associates to build a timeline between Pennell’s escape from prison and July 1980. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cold Case Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The identification of William Joseph Pennell represents the 11th case in the Province of Ontario where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To learn more about other Ontario cases, visit DNASolves.
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.