1980 Cleveland death ruled homicide after DNA breakthrough

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has changed the manner of death to homicide in the 1980 case of Danny Mitchell, whose remains went unidentified for more than four decades.

Mitchell, 20, was found in Cleveland on May 17, 1980, but wasn’t positively identified until April 2025 through advanced DNA testing and investigative genetic genealogy. The case was originally ruled “undetermined” due to advanced mummification and partial skeletonization.

Watch previous coverage of how Danny Mitchell was identified :

DNA identifies body of missing Cleveland man nearly 50 years later

RELATED: DNA identifies body of missing Cleveland man nearly 50 years later

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