LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office identified human bones found near Hoover Dam in 2009.

Through DNA testing, researchers discovered that the bones belonged to William Herman Hietamaki of Michigan.

His remains were found on November 11, 2009 when workers were about to pour cement on Highway 93 near the Hoover Dam.

Workers found a bone and continued investigating. Workers would find more bones, a pair of sun-faded blue jeans, a damaged white towel, a sun-faded red T-shirt, a black athletic shoe and a green sleeping bag.

The items were turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office. Detectives continued their investigation to generate leads, but to no avail.

Hietamaki was considered a “John Doe” until October 2024.

On February 2, 2022, a detective obtained a bone sample from Hietamaki. It would be sent to Arizona DPS to obtain a DNA profile and send it to CODIS in an attempt to identify him. A sample was also provided to the University of Texas for a DNA sample.

All of these attempts were negative.

In April 2024, the researchers notified Othram Inc., a genetics laboratory in Texas, about a grant they received for this case. Othram was able to create a DNA profile and upload it to a genealogical database.

This month, investigators learned that John Doe was a descendant of ancestors born in the mid-1800s and residing in Michigan.

Hietamaki’s relatives were located. They confirmed that they have not seen their brother since 1995 since he was traveling through the southwestern part of the United States.

Baseline testing confirmed Hietamaki’s identity.

Hietamaki was born April 4, 1950. He lived in Trout Creek and used his middle name, Herman. After high school, he began traveling and was known for hitchhiking and living a nomadic lifestyle.

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