In June 2022, two fishermen made a grim discovery in the Columbia River near a bar in Woodland, Washington, just north of the Oregon border.
They found the remains of an unidentified person.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office responded and recovered the body.
An examination by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office revealed no signs of trauma.
The remains were identified as those of a black male, approximately 5’9” tall and between 25 and 35 years old.
Although facial identification and fingerprints were not possible, the man had several tattoos, including the names "Felic," "Emanual," and "Cristian."
In September 2022, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as case number UP95240.
Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, the man remained unidentified and became known as the Woodland Columbia River John Doe.
Continuing their efforts in 2022, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram, a lab in The Woodlands, Texas.
Othram scientists managed to extract DNA from the evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to create a detailed genealogical profile of the man.
Othram’s forensic genetic genealogy team then conducted research using this profile, which generated new leads for investigators.
Following these new leads, investigators conducted a follow-up investigation and located potential relatives of the man.
DNA samples were collected from these relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown individual.
This led to the positive identification of the Woodland Columbia River John Doe as 34-year-old Pierre Antonio Pearson.
Pearson, originally from Georgia, was known to have been in Portland before his death.
He last contacted his family in April 2021.
There is no evidence to suggest that Pearson’s death was a result of foul play, and the investigation is now closed.
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