Mother Discovers Jawbone in Son's Rock Collection - 22 Years Later, US Marine's Identity Revealed
Discover the intriguing story of a mother who stumbled upon a human jawbone in her son's rock collection, leading to the identification of the partial remains of a US Marine Corps captain after two decades. Genetic genealogy experts unravel the mystery behind this remarkable discovery.
Over 20 years ago, a mother discovered a human jawbone in her son's rock collection. After years of mystery, genetic genealogy experts have finally identified the partial remains as belonging to US Marine Corps captain, Everett Leland Yager.
What makes this discovery even more intriguing is that Captain Yager, who passed away during a military training exercise in 1951, was believed to have been buried in Palmyra, Missouri.
The Ramapo College of New Jersey’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center, which opened two years ago, assisted in identifying the bone as belonging to Yager in March, as stated in a news release.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in Northern Arizona reported that the son had inherited the rocks from his grandfather, an avid rock collector. In 2002, his mother discovered the collection, found what appeared to be human remains, and contacted the sheriff’s office, according to authorities.
The sheriff’s office received a human jawbone with teeth, found in a rock collection, labeled as “Rock Collection John Doe” by the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. The family who discovered it was unsure of the exact location and time.
According to Ramapo College, it remains a mystery how the jawbone made its way to Arizona, speculating that a bird may have carried it from California.
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, DEC 31, AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2011, file photo, Damien Echols, left, Jessie Misskelley, Jr., center, and Jason Baldwin sit at a table before a news conference at the Craighead County Court House in Jonesboro, Ark. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)
Three men, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, Jr., and Jason Baldwin, are shown sitting at a table before a news conference at the Craighead County Court House in Jonesboro, Ark. The photo was taken on August 19, 2011.
Danny Johnston/AP
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In January 2023, the sheriff’s office and the Yavapai County Medical Examiner reached out to the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center for assistance. The college agreed to partner with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to help with the case at no cost, as stated by the sheriff’s office.
Cairenn Binder, assistant director of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center at Ramapo College, explained to CNN that because investigative genetic genealogy utilizes a different DNA testing method than what is typically used in law enforcement, the remaining DNA extract from previous testing needed to be sent to a second laboratory.
The extract was sent to a forensics lab in Salt Lake City, Utah for advanced DNA genotyping. A profile was then created and uploaded to two genealogy databases - GEDmatch Pro and FamilyTreeDNA.
The college's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Bootcamp received the case last July after a lengthy laboratory process in Salt Lake City. They used the profile to successfully identify Yager.
The bootcamp had participants of various ages, from 18 to 80. Among them was Ethan Schwartz, a 15-year-old high school student. He is said to be the youngest person to help solve a genetic genealogy case at Ramapo College.
During the bootcamp, the group analyzed data from GEDmatch Pro and FamilyTreeDNA. They focused on seven important genetic matches to come up with a theory linking the jawbone to Yager, according to Binder.
Binder mentioned that it was quite unusual because usually in their line of work, they are searching for missing individuals for whom there are no records available.
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"When our students suggested Mr. Yager as a candidate, it was puzzling for us because the circumstances of his death were already known. He had a military funeral and the details were documented in public records," she explained.
The bootcamp team then decided to share this information with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. They contacted Yager’s next of kin to verify if there was a DNA relationship with his closest living relative.
A reference sample collected from Yager’s daughter led to the positive identification of Yager in March. Ramapo College announced that plans were underway to return Yager’s remains to his family.
According to the college, the successful identification marked the first case resolution performed by the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center summer bootcamp student cohort.
"This case would have stayed unsolved, leaving a mystery in Yavapai County," Gurney explained. He emphasized, "It demonstrates how investigative genetic genealogy has emerged as a truly remarkable investigative tool, comparable to the significance of DNA technology."
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of Captain Everett Leland Yager's jawbone in a rock collection is a fascinating tale of mystery and perseverance. It showcases the power of genetic genealogy in solving long-standing cases. The fact that the jawbone was found in Arizona, far from where Yager was buried, adds an element of intrigue. It is likely that a bird carried the bone from California, highlighting the unpredictable nature of natural processes.
The involvement of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center at Ramapo College and its summer bootcamp student cohort is commendable. Their expertise and dedication led to the identification of Yager's remains, bringing closure to his family after decades of uncertainty. The case also demonstrates the value of collaboration between law enforcement and academic institutions in solving complex mysteries. It is a testament to the advancements in DNA technology and the tireless efforts of those committed to uncovering the truth.
