A decades-old mystery has been solved. The remains discovered in 2009 near Hoover Dam have been positively identified as William Herman Hietamaki, a Michigan native who disappeared nearly 30 years ago.
Hietamaki, born on April 4, 1950, was last seen in 1995 when he traveled to visit his sister in New Mexico. Despite extensive searches, his whereabouts remained unknown until now.
Investigators believe Hietamaki died between 2006 and 2008, likely in the remote desert area where his remains were found. The exact cause of death couldn’t be determined due to the advanced state of decomposition.
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The breakthrough in the case came from advanced DNA analysis techniques. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Othram Inc., a forensic genealogy lab, to identify the remains.
Hietamaki’s family, who had been searching for him for nearly three decades, can now find closure. The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude to Othram Inc. for their invaluable assistance in solving this cold case.
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