A man who died over 20 years ago has been identified thanks to groundbreaking genealogy techniques. The man, known as John Doe, was found unconscious in Phoenix in 2004 and died of heat exposure. Despite efforts by the Phoenix Police Department to identify him using fingerprints and DNA, his identity remained a mystery for decades. Recently, specialists in genealogy labs collaborated with authorities and identified two living third cousins, confirming the man as John Thiellesen who had been reported missing in Toledo, Ohio, in 2004. Thiellesen suffered from mental health problems and told his sister he was planning to jump into a river before going missing.
The breakthrough in identifying Thiellesen came after the case was referred to the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey. Genetic researchers at Genelogue in Georgia and Parabon Nanolabs in Virginia conducted bioinformatics research, leading to the identification of the cousins. The staff at Ramapo College confirmed it was Thiellesen, showcasing the power of investigative genetic genealogy in closing longstanding missing persons cases.
The Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center has helped solve 28 cases and is currently working on 39 others. The center’s efforts have provided closure to families who have been missing loved ones and continue to work towards restoring the names of unidentified individuals. The successful identification of John Thiellesen highlights the importance of genealogy in solving cold cases and bringing closure to families of missing persons.
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