Marin County authorities have identified the body of a man found more than 40 years ago in Muir Woods National Monument.
A press release from the Marin County Sheriff’s Department identified the deceased as San Francisco resident Sigvard Svensson.
Authorities said the then-unidentified individual’s skeletal remains were discovered in November 1982 near the Deer Park Fire Trail in Marin County, California, in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Responding investigators determined that the remains were those of a man, who was approximately six feet tall and likely between 60 and 70 years old. The body was found wearing a white collar shirt, gray socks and a pair of size 11.5 white tennis shoes. Authorities were unable to identify the man, who was identified as Marin County John DOE 82-278.
Just over six years ago, in April 2018, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), but despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the man, no matches were found and the case remained unresolved. due to a lack of viable leads.
Two years ago, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the California Department of Justice’s Jan Bashinski Lab and Othram Forensics to develop a genetic profile that would help identify John DOE 82-278. Othram scientists successfully extracted a DNA from the forensic evidence and developed a comprehensive DNA profile of the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genealogical research, ultimately providing new investigative opportunities for law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading coroners to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a possible relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man. The investigation led to the positive identification of Svensson, born on February 4, 1908. Svensson emigrated to the United States in 1926, arriving in New York from Sweden and eventually moving to San Francisco.
“The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division would like to publicly express our sincere appreciation to the CA DOJ and Othram for their tireless efforts and assistance in this case that led to the positive identification of Mr. Svensson,” the statement said. “We also extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
