Unidentified Individuals in Arizona: A Puzzling Challenge
In Arizona, many people pass away without any identification, and sometimes it takes years for authorities to figure out who they were. The situation is even tougher for those who were homeless. Two cold cases in Maricopa and Yavapai counties, one from 2006 and another from 2018, highlight just how difficult this can be. Remarkably, a collaboration with students and faculty from Ramapo College in New Jersey has led to breakthroughs in these cases, revealing identities over 2,500 miles away.
In Maricopa County, a man was struck by a vehicle on May 24, 2006, near Dunlap Road and an entrance to I-17. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital but had managed to mention a name—John Doradel. Unfortunately, this possible name couldn’t be confirmed before he passed away. At the time, he was estimated to be between 50 and 70 years old.
This case came to the attention of the Ramapo University IGG Center in September 2024 after traditional identification methods fell short. Genetic data from blood cards was sent to Parabon Nanolabs for analysis, and the Maricopa County Attorney General’s office provided a potential birth date for the man, who was known to frequent shelters in the area around the time of the accident.
A team of volunteer geneticists, graduates of Ramapo’s IGG Certificate Program, worked diligently, creating a family tree using the available information. They eventually identified the man’s niece, who willingly provided a DNA sample. It was her contribution that helped close this cold case in June 2025, confirming his identity.
In another instance, the remains of an unidentified man were discovered in Yavapai County on March 22, 2018. Found in a sleeping bag after a flood, he was suspected to be a transient based on the items found nearby. After traditional identification efforts failed, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office referred the case to the IGG Center in August 2023.
The remains were sent to Intermountain Forensics for DNA extraction and analysis. By June 2024, the genetic profiles led to a potential candidate—Ronald Raymond Tate—born in San Bernardino, California. Tate’s only living sibling participated in the investigation, and after a DNA test was conducted in June 2025, his identity was confirmed a year later.
Identifying deceased individuals, especially those who were homeless, poses unique challenges. Lack of public records and the absence of IDs make tracking leads nearly impossible. This is where the IGG technology comes into play. It merges traditional genetics with genealogical research, using consent and public data to identify the unknown.
“Only DNA has brought us what we know about these individuals today,” stated Cairenn Binder, assistant director of the Ramapo College IGG Center.
For more insights into Ramapo College and the IGG Center, visit ramapo.edu.
