Provincial police say they have identified a man whose body was found near Windsor more than 21 years ago, thanks to investigative genetic genealogy.
Authorities say a body was recovered from the Detroit River’s Livingstone Channel, just west of Amherstburg, in May 2003.
Police say several attempts had been made to identify the remains, with negative results over the years.
The man’s DNA was submitted for genetic genealogy, and a family member’s DNA was used to confirm that he was 48-year-old James Raymond Stewart of Detroit, who went missing in November 2002.
“After two decades, we were finally able to provide this family with answers about James, thanks to investigative genetic genealogy,” said Detective Inspector Randy Gaynor.
“This investigative tool has proven invaluable, enabling law enforcement to solve even decades-old cases and offering hope to others facing similar circumstances. Its ability to connect distant relatives through DNA has transformed the landscape of historic homicide and unidentified human remains investigations.”
