After 18 years, DNA may be the key to identifying Florida man’s remains
TAMPA, Fla. (WLFA) — 18 years after a man was found dead in central Florida, police may be one step closer to identifying him.
Hunters discovered human remains in a wooded area in DeLand, north of Orlando, in January 2006.
Officials described the remains as belonging to a white male who was about 6’1″ tall. His identity has remained a mystery ever since.
Over a decade after his remains were discovered, officials released a composite sketch that showed what he may have looked like, based on skeletal remains. They hoped to generate new leads in the case, but hit a dead end.
Last October, the sheriff’s office partnered with Othram, a forensics lab focused on identifying cold cases through genealogy.
“Othram agreed to attempt the DNA extraction at a reduced cost, with the hope of raising money through their crowdfunding campaign if the DNA extraction was successful,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a news release.
The lab successfully extracted DNA from the remains and is attempting to find his genetic relatives. The sheriff’s office funded part of the effort, but Othram is seeking donations to finish out the casework.
You can donate to the 2006 John Doe case by visiting the Othram website.
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of North East Florida at 888-277-TIPS, or use P3Tips on the mobile app, referencing case 06-866. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
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