FL Big Pine- Male, White/ Caucasian- 45-75- Wearing life jacket after hurricane Irma- September 14, 2017

[PatLaurel]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)


Estimated Age Group Adult- Pre 70
Estimated Age Range (Years)- 45-75
Estimated Year of Death 2017
Estimated PMI 4 Days
Height 5' 10"(70 inches) , Estimated
Weight 115 lbs, Estimated


Circumstances of Recovery- MALE WAS FOUND WEARING LIFE JACKET AFTER HURRICANE IRMA


Inventory of Remains- All parts recovered
Condition of Remains- Not recognizable - Decomposing /putrefaction

Hair Color- Gray or Partially Gray
Facial Hair Description- GREY TO ALMOST WHITE SHORT BEARD AND MUSTACHE

Accessories- LIFE JACKET
On the Body

 

[PatLaurel]

John Doe "was found across from the Big Pine Key Cemetery near the shoreline."

UP17238 - Newspapers.com

 

[PatLaurel]

5 Missing Person Exclusions

Missing Person / NamUs #MP39751 Terry Kosel
Date of Last Contact July 25, 2017
StateSC
County Richland

Missing Person / NamUs #MP42681 Martin Horback III
Date of Last Contact June 22, 2017
State FL
County Miami-Dade

Missing Person / NamUs #MP38467 Michael Wegrzyn
Date of Last Contact April 04, 2017
State OH
County Geauga

Missing Person / NamUs #MP40327Christopher Pittsley
Date of Last Contact September 09, 2017
State FL
County Miami-Dade

Missing Person / NamUs #MP40273 John Milo
Date of Last Contact August 14, 2017
State FL
County Lake

 

[HopeRains]

Hurricanes: Science and Society. 2017 - Hurricane Irma.

Shows mapping of hurricane and other info to include landing Key West, FL as Category 4 on Sept 10, then becoming Category 3.

Map showing Key West with red mappoint.

Path from link at top of post:

 

[Beccalicious]

Bumping

 

[iulia]

His NamUs page is down at the moment.

 

[dotr]

James Donald (Dupuis) Schlake, born December 17, 1940.''

After nine years, Monroe County John Doe is identified

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and District 16 Medical Examiner's Office Team with Othram to Identify a 2017 John Doe

dnasolves.com

'In September 2017, the remains of an unidentified man wearing a life jacket were found in the wake of Hurricane Irma in Big Pine, a rural area of Monroe County, Florida. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. They determined the remains were an adult man, between the ages of 45 and 75 years old, who stood about 5' 10" tall and weighed an estimated 115 lbs and had been dead about four days. He had gray or partially gray hair and a short beard and mustache that were gray to almost white. Following an autopsy, the Monroe County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be drowning and ruled the manner of death accidental.

Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Monroe County John Doe. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP17238.

Recently, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the District 16 Medical Examiner's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be James Donald (Dupuis) Schlake, born December 17, 1940.''

 

[MagicCityMan]

Interesting that he was actually slightly past the upper age limit of 75. He was in fact 76 and not far from 77th birthday at the time of Hurricane Irma.
RIP Mr. Schlake.

 

[Melt71]

RIP. Glad you can now go home to your family.

 

[PayrollNerd]

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Jan. 21, 2026

MONROE COUNTY, Fla – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) assisted in the identification of human remains recovered in Monroe County in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017. The remains have been confirmed as those of James Donald Schlake, 77, of Key Largo.

The identification was made through advanced genetic genealogy facilitated by FDLE’s Forensic Services, in collaboration with Othram Inc., a DNA laboratory that uses advanced DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy research to help agencies resolve cases and identify the deceased. FDLE Forensics secured funding for the identification through the State Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Fund on behalf of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner.



“FDLE’s Key West Field Office and Forensic Services turned over every stone to identify Mr. Schlake,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.“Our statewide forensic resources and strong partnerships are critical to supporting Florida’s communities and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration helped bring long‑awaited answers to Mr. Schlake’s loved ones and to the Florida Keys community.”



"People should know that it doesn't matter how old a case is, if there is DNA, there is technology here today that works and is able to bring answers to families, like in this case," said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer for Othram, the company that analyzed the DNA. "This is powerful technology, and cases like this can absolutely be solved."



On Sept. 14, 2017, the body of an unidentified adult male was found in a debris pile in Big Pine Key during search‑and‑rescue operations following Hurricane Irma. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, investigators were unable to identify him at the time. Following an autopsy, the Monroe County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be drowning and ruled the manner of death accidental.

In December 2023, a sample was submitted to FDLE’s crime laboratories for analysis and searching with no leads obtained. In June 2025, a sample was forwarded to Othram Inc. for advanced DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy research. In December 2025, after potential genetic relatives were identified, investigators confirmed the remains as those of Schlake and notified the next of kin.

FDLE remains committed to using advanced forensic technology and strong partnerships to support Florida’s communities and law enforcement agencies. By working closely with local partners and embracing emerging forensic tools, FDLE continues its mission to bring closure to families and strengthen public safety statewide.