Identified! MI - Saginaw River John Doe, WhtMale poss. HispMale, UP11776, 23-35, 1973 - Daniel Garza-Gonzales

[summergirl1]

Description
On March 13, 1973 the body of a young, white male was found floating in the Saginaw River in Zilwalkee Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. The man was dressed in a green sweater with a zipper, brown pants over red flannel long underwear, and heavy brown socks. Over his clothes he wore a black leather jacket. At autopsy the forensic pathologist estimated his age was 25-35 years old. He stood about 5’9” tall and weighed about 190 pounds. The man had wavy, medium-length, brown hair, and his eyes were possibly gray or light blue. Authorities estimate he had died about 6 weeks prior to being found in early 1973.

NamUs ID: UP11776
Date Body Found: March 13, 1973
Race: White/Caucasian, Possibly Hispanic
Gender: Male
Estimated Age: 25-35
Estimated PMI: 6 weeks
Location: Zilwalkee Township, MI

Agency of Jurisdiction
Michigan State Police, Intelligence Operations Division
Hanna Friedlander, Human Remains Analyst
517-242-5731
[email protected]

Link to More Information
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[summergirl1]

This is a DNA Doe project case that I couldn't find a thread for.

 

[candleman75]

I was informed recently this "John Doe" might be a relative of mine that disappeared in or around Flint Michigan in Nov. of 1972. I sure hope this is him...currently DNA testing is being done to prove a match or not. I'll keep this forum posted.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

I was informed recently this "John Doe" might be a relative of mine that disappeared in or around Flint Michigan in Nov. of 1972. I sure hope this is him...currently DNA testing is being done to prove a match or not. I'll keep this forum posted.

Hello! What was the name of your missing relative by any chance?

 

[MadMcGoo]

Saginaw Co John Doe 1973 | DNA Doe Project

dnadoeproject.org

 

[candleman75]

Hello! What was the name of your missing relative by any chance?

Daniel Gonzales. Confirmed him this week.

 

[iulia]

The NamUs page for Saginaw County John Doe has been removed.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3354424594816302

 

[djanga]

investigative genetic genealogy, a process involving comparison of the John Doe’s DNA profile to potential matching family members in public databases that can be used for forensic cases.

“This case was especially challenging given that the decedent was from an underrepresented population, additionally complicated by the presence of endogamy,” said team leader Cairenn Binder. “We are thankful that when we reached an impasse in our research, some DNA cousins of Daniel stepped up to help by uploading to GEDmatch to assist our team in identifying him.”

While more than 65% of unidentified persons in the NamUS database of missing and unidentified cases are people of color, the databases used by investigative genetic genealogists are still largely populated by white people, complicating the work to identify them.

“Unidentified people from minority populations deserve their names back, and I am thankful that our volunteers at DNA Doe Project do not shy away from the time-consuming challenge of identifying them. Our team will put in as many hours as it takes until the case is solved,” said Binder.

The DNA Doe Project wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the groups and individuals who helped solve this case: the Michigan State Police, who entrusted the case to the DNA Doe Project; Astrea Forensics for extraction of DNA and whole genome sequencing; Kevin Lord of Saber Investigations for additional bioinformatics; GEDmatch Pro and FTDNA for providing their databases; and DDP’s dedicated teams of volunteer investigative genetic genealogists who work tirelessly to bring victims home

Saginaw Co John Doe 1973 | DNA Doe Project

dnadoeproject.org

 

[djanga]

From the same source as above

 

[djanga]

Garza-Gonzales was born on March 15, 1944. He was a Vietnam War veteran who was wounded during the war. When he was 29 years old he left Fort Worth, Texas, to look for work in Flint, Michigan. His parents never heard from him again.

Michigan State Police identify murder victim nearly 50 years after he was found in Saginaw River

Daniel Garza-Gonzales has his name back after being unidentified for nearly 50 years.

www.clickondetroit.com

 

[cheemsg]

Body found floating in Saginaw River 50 years ago identified as Texas man

Another article, confirms it was a homicide, and quite a brutal one at that. Blunt-struck in the head and shot seven times.

 

[YaYa_521]

Rest in peace, Daniel.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Looks like he was declared deceased in 1979.

 

[djanga]

Unidentified wiki has a new photo of Daniel

Wiki

 

[iamshadow21]

Sleep well, Daniel.

 

[steff13]

Unidentified wiki has a new photo of Daniel

Wiki

Gosh, he was handsome. He was found on my birthday. I mean, a few years earlier, but March 13. Just a couple days before his birthday, too. Rest well, Daniel. You've got your name back after all these years.