Mario Delapaz (left) and Thomas Lee Baird (right). Credit: Othram
1998 John Doe
In July 1998, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found by city workers in the sewer in the 200 block of E. Harlem Road in North Kansas City, Missouri. Several law enforcement agencies responded and began an investigation and the collection. An autopsy, a dental exam, and an anthropological exam was completed. The Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office determined that the person was a man who was likely 30 to 50 years old and stood about 5'10" tall.
Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Jackson County John Doe (1998). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP3122.
In an effort to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify the man, the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram, scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used this profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned 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 potential relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man using KinSNP Rapid Relationship Testing. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Mario Delapaz, also known as Mario De La Paz, born October 1, 1962. Mario's family has been notified of his identification.
2021 John Doe
In October 2021, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found in a wooded area near the 8700 block of Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri after an incarcerated individual told officials they saw a skull at the location. Several law enforcement agencies responded, including the Kansas City Police Department and the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office to begin collecting evidence as part of their investigation. Investigators found a skull and a jawbone but no other way to identify the remains. The Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office determined the skull belonged to an adult, likely older than 50.
Ultimately, the man could not be indentified. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP91507.
In 2023, the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the person. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the person. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a forensic genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the person. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified person. This investigation led to the positive identification of the person, who is now known to be Thomas Lee Baird, born Jan. 4, 1962.
Republished courtesy of DNASolves