Shaun Brauner Identified: DNA Breakthrough Solves 1986 Cold Case in Michigan

In October 1986, a grim discovery was made in a wooded area on Lewis Avenue in Ida, Michigan. 

A passerby found partially decomposed human remains.

As a result of this, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office launched a criminal investigation. 

The remains were identified as belonging to a white male between 35 and 45 years old.

Additionally, the cause of death was ruled as homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head. 

Despite years of relentless effort by law enforcement, the victim’s identity remained unknown.

Thanks to DNA testing and investigative genetic genealogy, criminal investigators now have the answers they’ve been waiting for. 

The Cold Case That Stumped Detectives

For decades, the unidentified man was listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP8379. 

Initially, detectives tried traditional DNA analysis and uploaded the data to CODIS, a national DNA database.

However, no matches were found, and the case went cold, as reported by DNASOLVES.COM. 

In 2024, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Othram, a lab in Texas that specializes in advanced DNA forensics. 

Using cutting-edge technology, Othram created a detailed DNA profile for the victim. 

This led to the discovery of a potential relative, as reported by Fox2Detroit.

After further testing, the remains were confirmed to be those of Shaun Daniel Brauner from Detroit, Michigan.

Sheriff Troy Goodnough praised the efforts of everyone involved. 

“This case shows how powerful DNA testing can be in solving cold cases,” he said. 

“We’re grateful to NamUs and Othram for their help in giving Shaun’s family the closure they needed.”

Background of the Story

Shaun Brauner’s story is a heartbreaking one. 

He went missing in June 1986, and investigators believe he was the victim of a homicide in Wayne County, Michigan. 

His case was closed in 1990, but his remains were never identified until now. 

Thanks to the good work of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Othram, Brauner’s remains were returned to his family, who held a memorial service to honor him. 

For his loved ones, the identification brought a sense of peace after decades of uncertainty.

The identification of Shaun Brauner is a powerful example of how DNA testing can bring closure to families and solve mysteries that have lingered for decades. 

As technology improves, more cold cases may finally be solved, giving families the answers they’ve been waiting for.

The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are appealing to anyone who has information about this case to come forward.