KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — After nearly two years, investigators have determined that skeletal remains found in 2022 belonged to a man who had been missing from the Knoxville area since 2020.
Othram Inc ., a Texas-based laboratory well-known as a leader in forensic genetic genealogy, initially released on Friday that an identity in the case had been discovered.
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Knoxville Police confirmed that they investigated the case after a tree trimming service discovered the remains. When investigators arrived at the scene, they determined that the remains were a human skull. After a search of the area, the remains were then taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
While the forensic center did submit the case for forensic genetic genealogy testing through Othram, the break in the case was discovered without DNA, according to Knox County Regional Forensic Center Chief Administrative Officer and Director Chris Thomas.