Human remains found in 1993 near I-65 (what is now Otte Golf Course) in Greenwood have been positively identified following months of DNA and genealogy work by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office. Significant progress was made with the help of Greenwood PD, the University of Indianapolis, and the Othram Forensic DNA Testing Laboratory. This case remained cold with no leads until our Coroner’s Office decided to revisit it using updated DNA and genealogy procedures. Chief Deputy Derek Wilson and Administrative Deputy Coroner Valerie Castro reopened the case with Greenwood PD and went to work.
After months of emails, phone calls, and assistance from other law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and Canada, we were able to locate potential family members. Multiple DNA kits were funded by Crime Junkie Podcast Founder and CEO Ashley Flowers and distributed by Othram Forensics. The field was narrowed, and positive DNA results and genealogy tracking located immediate family members who reported losing track of the individual in the late 1980s. After nearly six months, a positive identification has been confirmed. This is Johnson County’s only known unidentified set of remains.
As for the cause and manner of death, these have been ruled undetermined unless more information is discovered following our press conference scheduled for September 5th. The remains were initially identified as a female. The family will be coming to Indiana to claim the remains of Michael Benjamin Davis, born in Richland County, South Carolina. He would have been in his mid-20s at the time of his death.
