In 2024 the St. Petersburg Police Department together with District 6 Medical Examiner’s Office engaged services from Othram, a forensic lab located in The Woodlands, Texas to identify skeletal remains consisting of a skull that became separated from other bones sometime after 1980. Due to the unclear origin and context of the skull forensic experts sent the evidence to Othram for advanced DNA testing evaluation and forensic genetic genealogy analysis to help identify it.
Scientists at Othram extracted DNA from the skull and utilized Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to establish an extensive DNA profile. The in-house forensic genetic genealogy team at Othram conducted genealogical research using the DNA profile to establish new investigative leads.
Based on this information investigators launched further investigations to find potential relatives of the unidentified man. The comprehensive DNA profile was compared with that of a potential relative using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing. The KinSNP® analysis verified the genetic connection which enabled investigators to identify the man as Joseph Richard Murrell born in 1956.
Joseph Richard Murrell lost his life on August 3, 1980, when his vehicle plunged from the Howard Frankland Bridge. News stories reported that he suffered decapitation at that time. Authorities recovered all of his remains but still do not know how the skull separated from them.
Joseph Murrell is identified as the 42nd person Othram’s technology helped locate in Florida through public cases. Through DNASolves you can research other Florida cases and understand how your support brings families the answers they need.