Executive Summary
- Cambria County officials are partnering with Othram to use genetic genealogy on a 1988 cold case.
- The unidentified victim died of exposure and heart conditions in Washington Township.
- Preserved tissue slides allow for DNA sequencing without the need to exhume the body.
- Coroner Jeff Lees aims to identify the man to provide closure for potential family members.
The Cambria County Coroner’s Office has launched a renewed effort to identify a man found deceased nearly 40 years ago, utilizing advanced genetic genealogy technology to resolve the 1988 cold case. Officials are hopeful that modern DNA sequencing can provide a name to the individual known only as a John Doe for decades.
The investigation centers on an unidentified male discovered under an underpass in Washington Township in 1988. According to Chief Deputy Coroner Joseph Hribar, the cause of death was determined to be exposure, hypothermia, and underlying heart conditions. Despite earlier investigative efforts by the Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office, the man remained unidentified and was interred in the county cemetery in Ebensburg.
The renewed focus on the case was prompted by Othram, a private laboratory specializing in forensic genealogy, which contacted county officials to offer assistance. Hribar stated that tissue slides from the original autopsy had been preserved in hospital storage. This preservation allowed the coroner’s office to secure a subpoena and submit the samples for DNA sequencing without the need to exhume the body.
Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees underscored the critical nature of the original forensic procedures. “There is no such thing as an unnecessary autopsy when myself or my staff order an autopsy,” Lees said. He expressed a commitment to resolving the case, noting that the primary goal is to positively identify the man and notify any surviving family members.
Hribar highlighted the significance of the technological advancements, noting that genetic genealogy can identify individuals through distant familial matches. “I think this technology and this advancement in methods for DNA is huge,” Hribar said.
Forensic Investigative Outlook
The integration of genetic genealogy into municipal coroner operations represents a significant shift in how dormant identification cases are adjudicated. By utilizing preserved biological evidence rather than requiring exhumation, agencies can circumvent logistical hurdles while leveraging private-sector databases to trace distant familial DNA. This approach highlights the critical importance of evidence retention policies in medical examiner offices, offering a viable avenue for resolving long-standing unidentified person cases where traditional law enforcement methods previously exhausted all leads.
