The Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office and local law enforcement officers are teaming with Othram, a DNA testing lab, to identify human remains that were found on a DeLand farm over four decades ago.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the partial skeletal remains were discovered in October 1978 on the property of the Volusia County FFA Agriculture Farm, now the land of the Volusia County Farm Bureau, in DeLand.
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the remains belonged to a man between the ages of 21 and 35, and “gold foil restoration” was found on the surface of several of the man’s teeth.
After further examination of the remains, investigators were unable to determine the man’s ancestry. In addition, his death, which had occurred more than 18 months prior to the discovery of his remains, was determined to be “likely due to natural causes.”
Details of this case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as “UP1381.” However, despite the ongoing efforts of investigators, the identity of the man is still a mystery to this day.
Earlier this year, VCSO and the Medical Examiner’s Office teamed up with Othram in the hopes that advanced DNA testing can finally help identify the man.
The sheriff’s office states that Othram’s scientists will work to develop a suitable DNA extract that can be used with Forensic Grade Genome Sequencing to develop a comprehensive DNA profile, which will then be used in records research and forensic genetic genealogy.
Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-736-5961. Be sure to reference the following case number: 1978-00388.
While VCSO has contributed a portion of the funds for this case, a DNASolves crowdfund has been created to raise funds for the cost of the remaining casework. As of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, a total of $2,500 has been raised toward the $7,500 goal.