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 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.''