By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In November 2009, construction workers near Hoover Dam stumbled upon human remains, sparking a 15-year-long mystery. Despite extensive efforts, the identity of the deceased, known only as John Doe, remained unknown. The breakthrough came in 2022 when forensic genetic genealogy, a relatively new technique, was used to analyze the victim’s DNA and identify potential relatives. This led investigators to William Herman Hietamaki, a man last seen in 1995, who had a history of traveling across the country. Through interviews and DNA testing, Hietamaki was definitively identified as John Doe. While the cause of death remains undetermined, forensic genetic genealogy provided closure to a long-unsolved case and highlighted the emerging power of this technology in identifying victims in cold cases.
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In 2009, workers constructing the Hoover Dam bypass discovered human bones. For 15 years, the skeletal remains remained unidentified, known only as John Doe. Finally, in October 2024, Mohave County investigators announced a breakthrough in the case. Through advanced forensic techniques, investigators determined that John Doe was a descendant of Michigan-based ancestors born in the mid-1800s. This crucial piece of information led them to explore potential relatives of the unknown man.
After a series of interviews, investigators learned a man named William Herman Hietamaki had not been seen by his siblings since 1995. His family shared that he was last known to be traveling in the Southwest before his disappearance.
The extensive interviews and reference testing with Hietamaki’s siblings confirmed that the unidentified remains were indeed his. Born in 1950, Hietamaki grew up in Trout Creek, Michigan with his family. He went by his middle name, Herman, and was known for his nomadic lifestyle. After graduating high school, he embarked on a cross-country journey, often relying on hitchhiking to get around.
Hietamaki was last seen by his family in 1995 when he visited his sister in New Mexico. Through the reference testing, investigators discovered that Hietamaki suffered from epileptic seizures. The medical examiner was unable to determine his cause of death due to the condition of his remains, but they estimated his year of death to be between 2006 and 2008.
The use of forensic genetic genealogy played a crucial role in identifying Hietamaki. This relatively new technique, which emerged in 2018, has been instrumental in solving hundreds of cold cases across the country.
Hietamaki’s story highlights the powerful combination of advanced forensic techniques and persistent investigative work. It also underscores the enduring hope that families of missing persons hold onto, even after years of uncertainty. His case serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact that unsolved mysteries can have on loved ones, and the solace that can be found in finally learning the fate of a missing person.