DNA Extracted from DeLand Remains Found in 2006

DELAND, Fla. – A DNA extraction from human remains found almost two decades ago may help lead to a positive identification, according to a new release from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. The agency announced on Tuesday that they’d partnered with Othram, Inc., a forensic genealogy firm based out of Texas, to try and solve a long-running mystery. The remains were discovered in January 2006, in the woods within the DeLand city limits. At that time, detectives identified them as belonging to an adult, white male with a height of about 6’1″. The incident was logged in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (MamUS). Eleven years later in 2017, a visualization was created depicting what the man may have looked like approximately. That did not prove to lead to an identification, and it’s now been 18 years of uncertainty as to who the remains belonged to. In October 2023, Othram and the VSO agreed to a reduced price to conduct a DNA extraction. The VSO is paying part of the cost to conduct it, but is asking the community to help them crowdfund the remainder. As of Tuesday, they’re just under $5,000 short of their fundraising goal of $7,500. The extraction has already taken place, and was reportedly successful. Othram is in the process of analyzing the DNA to try and identify it among existing databases. Those with information that may lead to an identification are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS. A reward may be provided even for an anonymous tip. Notably, in summer 2023 the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office worked with Othram to identify a body in a 26-year cold case: human remains found in 1997 were confirmed to belong to the late Robert Bruce McPhail.