CA CA- near railway over-cross, Ventura County John Doe, #UP8556, died from natural causes, DNA identified - William Russell Howard, Jr., 2024

[dotr]

After 22 years, Ventura County John Doe (2002) is Identified

Ventura County Medical Examiner's & Sheriff’s Office Team with Othram to Identify 2002 John Doe

dnasolves.com

'In February 2002, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Ventura, California. The individual was found deceased near a railroad overcrossing. Investigators determined that the remains were that of a white male, who was estimated to between fifty and seventy years old at his time of death. The man was 5’10” tall and he weighed 130 pounds. He had gray hair as well as a gray moustache and beard. The John Doe was wearing tan "Rip Curl" brand pants with pockets, sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt, and a green shirt with the words "San Antonio, Texas" printed on it. Investigators estimated that one week had passed between the man’s death and the time that his remains were found.

In 2011, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP8556. Despite efforts to identify the man, no leads yielded a match and the man’s identity remained a mystery. He became known as Ventura County John Doe.'

''Forensic evidence was submitted to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas where Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct extensive genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement. Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading to the positive identification of the man as William Russell Howard, Jr., who was born July 20, 1943. Originally from Minnesota, William died from natural causes. No other information about William is available at this time.''