For Over Three Decades Nobody Knew a Colorado Murder Victim's Name — DNA and Family in Israel Changed That

Over three decades passed before police were able to determine the identity of the victim of a cold-case murder in Colorado.

In August of 1988, Sheridan police were alerted to an unconscious man found in the 2800 block of West Oxford Avenue in Sheridan, Colorado. Once at the scene, officers determined the man was dead.

But, police didn't know who the man was and never made an arrest. The case eventually went cold, but police didn't forget the case and worked on it despite the passage of time.

Thanks to DNA technology and genetic genealogy, investigators were able to identify the victim as Akram Bada’an by tracing his family to Israel, police say.

Bada’an was 36 years old when he was killed, cops say.

“The most important thing in this case aside from getting the victim justice, is giving Akram Bada’an his name back,” said Detective Bryan Penry during a press conference in October 2021.

Anyone with information about the victim or his death can contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.