Human Remains Found Near Hoover Dam in 2009 Identified to Be of a Hitchhiker From Michigan
Authorities have uncovered the identity of the human remains that construction workers located on US Highway 93. The discovery happened 15 years ago near Hoover Dam, but analysis of those times did not produce any identification of the remains, LAD Bible reported.
The advent of technology allowed researchers to analyze the DNA of the human bones found in the area. Further investigation revealed that the remains belonged to William Herman Hietamaki, a man who had been missing since 1995.
After construction workers saw several bones at the site in October 2009, they informed the authorities, LAD Bible reported. Officials came to the area and found more bones, a sun-bleached pair of blue jeans, a damaged white towel, a sun-bleached red t-shirt, a black athletic shoe, and a green sleeping bag.
All the findings were turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office. Detectives investigated multiple theories, but could not find any breakthroughs.
In 2022, Arizona detectives sent a bone sample from the remains to the state’s Department of Public Safety and requested scientific testing, NBC News reported. The department further provided the sample to the national DNA database, known as CODIS, and the University of North Texas. At the latter organization, DNA from the sample was obtained and stored.
After some time, personnel with Othram Inc. informed the authorities that due to a recent grant, they could conduct forensic genetic genealogy testing of the procured DNA without any hassle. The technique is used by law enforcement to look for the relatives of victims or suspects in commercial DNA databases, with the help of forensic data in their custody.
In 2024, they learned that the John Doe in the case had ancestors with roots in Michigan dating to the 1800s, NBC News reported. Investigators interviewed possible relatives of John Doe, and had a possible identification—William Herman Hietamaki.
The man was a hitchhiker and had last visited family in 1995, as per the sheriff's office. The analysis of remains revealed that the man died between 2006 and 2008. Due to the condition of the remains, experts are yet to find Hietamaki's cause of death.
Authorities were elated at solving the mystery and giving Hietamaki's family answers regarding one of their members, NBC News reported. "The Mohave County Sheriff’s would like to thank Othram Inc. for their work in this case and for obtaining grant funding to enable the forensic genetic genealogy investigation to be completed," the sheriff’s statement said. "Hietamaki’s family now has closure due to their dedication in identifying John and Jane Does."