Identified! DE - Wilmington, Skull found on Delaware River, UP8356, Jan'11 - Gary Mayo

Joel Ariza launched his new boat under the Commadore Barry Bridge into the Delaware River approxiamtely 2:00 AM on 10-30-09. He was accompanied by a friend. After motoring out into the river, the engine stalled and boat started taking on dangerous quantities of water. Joel's friend jumped overbaord and swwam to shore. Joel stayed with his boat. Joel was never seen again; his boat was subsequently located on the banks of the Delaware River several miles down-river at Delaware State Park -- Fox Point State Park, in Wilmington DE.

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Human Skull Found Near Port of Wilmington Identified
Wilmington man had been missing since 2007

WILMINGTON – Officials in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner says the human skull found January 4, 2011 in Wilmington has been positively identified as Gary R. Mayo (born April 29, 1963) of Wilmington, DE.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF MISSING PERSON
Gary Mayo reportedly fell off a 20' boat into the Christina River on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2007. There were several unsuccessful attempts to rescue him before he submerged into the river and extensive searches were unsuccessful. The investigation conducted by Delaware State Police.

DISCOVERY CONTEXT
On January 4, 2011, human Remains were exposed on muddy tidal flats and recovered by a boater along the shoreline of the Delaware River about 300 yards south of the Port of Wilmington. An investigation was conducted by:
1. Wilmington Department of Police
2. Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
3. Delaware State Police

FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION
The nearly complete male cranium (lacking a lower jawbone) was in very good condition despite undergoing some erosion due to water action (tides, waves, currents).

Remains were examined by:

1. Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner staff
2. Forensic Odontologist Dr. Richard Scanlon of Lewiston, PA
3. Forensic Radiologist Dr. Gil Brogdon of Mobile AL
4. Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Marcella H. Sorg of Oreno, Maine

Based on macroscopic and osteometric anthropological assessment, radiological comparison to CT scans (anti-mortem CT Scans provided by Papastavros Associates Medical Imaging and Forensic dentistry (anti-mortem dental records provide courtesy of Dr. Richard Jacobs DDS, of Claymont, DE), positive identification was established as Gary R. Mayo

Delaware OCME case number DE 2011-0014
NamUs case numbers:
NamUs UP #8356 (cranium)
NamUs MP # 6931 (missing persons)

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