On July 17, 2008, the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) requested DNA analysis of skeletal remains that were found on Orcas Island in March 2007.
According to San Juan County Coroner Randy Gaylord, the partial skeleton – with feet, hands and an arm missing – was found by a hiker on a remote beach west of Point Lawrence in March 2007. At that time records noted the missing feet.
“The best information we have on this person’s identity is the unique gold inlay in the upper molars,” said Gaylord. “There was no evidence of violence,” said Gaylord. He noted that a black Merrell slip-on, rubber-soled shoe and an argyle sock were also found nearby, but their connection to the human remains is unknown.
The remains were examined by a forensic anthropologist who reported that the person was likely a man, about 5 feet 9 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, and likely white, native American (or First Nations People) or Asian ancestry. A forensic dentist reported his findings and known details were put into a national database.
The San Juan County Sheriff widely distributed announcements of the human remains in March of 2007 to U.S. and Canadian authorities. Investigators followed up on dozens of leads, but none helped to identify the remains. In time, the case became a “cold case.”
On July 10, 2008, BCCS announced that they had completed DNA profiles of the remains found inside tennis shoes that floated ashore in British Columbia. http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/news/docs/2008-july-10_coroners_found_remains.pdf “This DNA profile will allow us to determine if there is a link between the body found on Orcas and the shoes found in Canada,” said Gaylord.
Gaylord said the Snohomish County Medical Examiner will send a sample of the remains to BCCS this week for DNA analysis.
Gaylord remains hopeful, but uncertain, if the shoes will provide a clue as the identity of this person. “Our goal is to determine who this person is and notify his family,” said Gaylord. Gaylord added that only a few people have their DNA profiles in a public database. “Even if we link the shoes and the body, the dental records can provide the information that could most easily solve this mystery,” said Gaylord.
Gaylord added that there was no evidence that the feet were “severed” from the body. “I have seen some news sources that use that term. It does not match what we have here.” Gaylord believes the remains washed ashore more or less intact and the remains were reduced to a skeleton by the action of waves; animal, bird, or sea scavengers; or insects. “Feet and hands are small and light, and with a wide range of motion and smaller connective tissue, it is part of the natural progression that they separate from the rest of the body,” said Gaylord.
