Skeletal Remains Identified in Nevada: A Breakthrough in Forensic Genealogy
On July 3, 2023, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in the Peavine Hills/Mountain area of Reno, Nevada. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office swiftly initiated an investigation at the scene, where several personal items were retrieved, including a blue backpack, a pair of size 9 Sketchers sneakers, size small gray Columbia shorts, a plain gray baseball cap, a blue 509 motorcycle helmet, survival gear containing a compass and knife, a “Turtle Fur” knit hat, and a Glock 9mm handgun.
Despite thorough examinations conducted by the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, the investigative efforts initially yielded no information about the remains, hindering the determination of the individual’s biological sex or ancestry. Consequently, the case was recorded in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) under the designation UP106559.
In May 2025, the investigative landscape shifted when forensic evidence from the remains was forwarded to Othram, a forensic laboratory based in The Woodlands, Texas. The lab utilized cutting-edge DNA testing techniques, including Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, to generate a comprehensive genetic profile of the unidentified individual. This advanced analysis revealed that the remains belonged to an Asian male.
Othram’s forensic genetic genealogy team subsequently employed the DNA profile to conduct a genetic genealogy search, which yielded investigative leads that were provided to law enforcement agencies. Following this, detectives were able to trace connections to living relatives of the deceased individual. A reference DNA sample was then collected from a relative and compared against the DNA profile of the unidentified individual through Othram’s KinSNP Rapid Relationship Testing method. This collaborative effort culminated in the identification of Andrew Tadashi Matayoshi, an individual born on October 13, 1950.
The identification of Matayoshi marks a significant advancement in forensic science, representing the 17th case in Nevada to be resolved through the innovative methods devised by Othram. Furthermore, it highlights the potential benefits of consumer DNA testing in aiding ongoing forensic investigations. Enthusiastic participants can join the DNASolves database, thereby expanding the pool of available genetic profiles. Such contributions significantly enhance the prospects of resolving long-standing cases and reuniting families with missing loved ones.
As forensic technology continues to evolve, the utilization of advanced genetic analysis is poised to play an increasingly critical role in identifying unidentified persons and solving cold cases across the nation.
