After over 20 years of being unidentified, a man found unconscious and later deceased in Phoenix has finally been identified as John Thiellesen through groundbreaking genealogy techniques. Initially found on the sidewalk in 2004, he remained nameless despite efforts to identify him. Working with genealogy labs, authorities were able to track down living third cousins who confirmed his identity.
Thiellesen was reported missing in Toledo, Ohio, by his brother in 2004, having contacted his sister about planning to jump into a river due to mental health issues. However, it is still unknown how he ended up in Phoenix. Through a collaborative effort involving various genealogy labs and institutions, his identity was confirmed in a breakthrough case.
The Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey played a critical role in identifying Thiellesen by utilizing blood samples and conducting bioinformatics research in Georgia and Virginia. The resulting genotype was uploaded to DNA databases, helping to successfully pinpoint his living relatives.
The identification of Thiellesen serves as a beacon of hope for families with missing loved ones, showcasing the power of investigative genetic genealogy in resolving long-standing missing persons cases. The IGG Center at Ramapo has been instrumental in solving 28 cases and is actively working on 39 others, continuing to provide closure to families affected by missing persons cases.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
