The remains of a Michigan man, William Herman Hietamaki, were found near the Hoover Dam in 2009 but were only identified in October 2024. The cause of his death could not be determined due to the condition of his remains. The man, who suffered from epileptic seizures, may have died between 2006 and 2008 when he was in his late 50s. His body was discovered by workers pouring cement at the dam, and investigators found various items such as clothing and a sleeping bag nearby.
After years of unsuccessful attempts to identify the man, in April 2024, a genetic lab called Othram contacted investigators and used forensic genetic genealogy to connect the DNA sample to the victim’s relatives. It was revealed that Hietamaki lived a nomadic lifestyle, traveling and hitchhiking to various locations. His family last saw him in 1995 when he visited his sister in New Mexico.
The sheriff’s office credited Othram’s dedication in identifying John and Jane Does for bringing closure to Hietamaki’s family. The identification would not have been possible without the funding received by Othram for research and DNA testing. The process of identifying the victim involved submitting DNA samples to different databases and interviewing relatives to confirm the match. Now, Hietamaki’s family finally knows the fate of their loved one after nearly 30 years of uncertainty.
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