PHOENIX – A human remains found two years ago in the northwestern Arizona desert has been identified by genetic genealogical studies, officials said Thursday.
The body belongs to Christopher Canning, 60, of Golden Valley. This was announced by the Mojave County Sheriff’s Office..
The sheriff’s office said there was no suspicion of foul play, although an official cause of death could not be determined based on the condition of the body.
Canning was reported missing by a family member on May 15, 2021. On October 15, 2015, a citizen found a body in a remote desert washing area.
Mojave County detectives worked with Osram, a private laboratory that specializes in forensic genealogy, to identify Canning.
Osram performed DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing on the body samples, confirming their identities on Monday.
Osram is assisting multiple cold cases in Mojave County
It will be at least the fourth time this year that Osram has helped Mojave County detectives identify bodies.
In January, the company helped identify a body found east of Kingman in 1971 as Colleen Audrey Rice, closing a 52-year-old case.
In April, a body found in Golden Valley in January 2021 was identified as 56-year-old Brian Crane.
In July, a human skull discovered in Golden Valley in September 2022 was identified as that of 30-year-old Jordan Victor Carvalho.
