Othram recently worked with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office’s to leverage its technology to identify a 1983 John Doe and 2023 Jane Doe.
1983 John Doe
On November 25, 1983, the remains of an unidentified man were recovered from a waterway in the 2400 block of 10th Avenue North in unincorporated Lake Worth, Florida. Officers responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. The man was found in an advanced state of decomposition, and investigators were unable to identify him at the time. His death was later ruled an accidental drowning.
Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Palm Beach County John Doe (1983). Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP812.
In April 2025, investigators with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office submitted evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram, scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. PBSO's forensic genetic genealogy team used the 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. Detectives traveled to California, where they interviewed a likely child of the unidentified man and collected a reference DNA sample. The reference DNA was 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 Archie Patterson Jr., born on August 15, 1940. Following the identification, next of kin were notified and the investigation was closed.
2023 Jane Doe
On May 11, 2023, the skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were discovered in a wooded area in unincorporated Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida. A landscape nursery employee working on an adjacent property made the discvoery in a wooded area near a plant nursery in the 8000 block of South Military Trail and notified law enforcement. Investigators estimated the woman was between 40 and 70 years old.
Despite investigative efforts, including forensic imaging and entry into CODIS, the woman could not be identified. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP110520.
In 2025, investigators with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office submitted evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram, scientists worked to develop a DNA extract from the provided evidence, then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the woman. PBSO's forensic genetic genealogy team used the 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 by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detectives. This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Regina Hess, born on August 22, 1948. Hess would have been around 74 years old at the time that her remains were found.
Anyone who knew Hess or with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Nancy Milliner of the PBSO Cold Case Unit at 561-688-4003 or [email protected], or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-8477. Crime Stoppers tips can be made anonymously.
Othram would like to thank Senator Gayle Harrell, Representative John Snyder, and their colleagues in the Florida legislature for their support and for funding law enforcement agencies so that they can solve these important cases.
These two cases are the 67 and 68 publicly announced case in the State of Florida where investigators have used Othram's technology to identify an individual.
Republished courtesy of DNASolves