Human remains found by a hiker at the base of a mountain in 2019, have now been identified as Mark Austin Dunne, a man reported missing from Phoenix in 2017, according to Arizona deputies.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office announced this identification in a May 29 news release, thanks to advanced DNA technology.
On November 2, 2019, a hiker stumbled upon human remains at the base of Mount Elden, approximately 10 miles northeast of Flagstaff.
Despite initial efforts, the identity of the remains remained unknown for years.
In August 2023, deputies turned to forensic genetic genealogy and collaborated with Intermountain Forensics, a company specializing in DNA testing.
Forensic genetic genealogy combines DNA testing with traditional genealogical methods to create family history profiles, helping to determine biological relationships.
Intermountain Forensics created a DNA profile of the unknown person and submitted it to genealogy databases for comparison.
Through tracing family lines, the investigators identified Mark Austin Dunne as a potential match.
Dunne’s family members then submitted their DNA samples, which matched the remains.
This breakthrough, combined with further investigation, confirmed the identity of the remains as Dunne.
Dunne, who lived in Phoenix, was reported missing in March 2017 after his family had no contact with him for a significant period.
Deputies are unsure when he arrived in the Flagstaff area but believe he had been camping there for an extended time.
His family described him as a “free spirit,” with his mother recalling him as a "rebel" and "a drifter."
The cause of Dunne’s death remains unknown, as deputies were unable to determine it.
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