A family finally has answers after 21 years.
OPP have identified a man found on the Livingston Channel shoreline.
The body was found May 29, 2003, and recovered from the Detroit River, just west of Amherstburg.
In a media release, Essex OPP said they started an investigation and over the years, several attempts were made to identify remains with negative results.
Police used investigative genetic genealogy (IGG).
The male’s DNA was submitted by investigators for IGG use last February.
A few months later, through genealogy support by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), a presumptive ID was determined.
In September, a family member’s DNA confirmed that the male was James Raymond Stewart, age 48, of Detroit, Michigan, missing since November, 2002.
In November, family members traveled to Amherstburg to visit James’ gravestone.
According to the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS), the cause of death was undetermined. Foul play was not suspected in his death.
“After two decades, we were finally able to provide this family with answers about James, thanks to investigative genetic genealogy,” said Det. Insp. Randy Gaynor, OPP Criminal Investigations Branch.
“This investigative tool has proven to be invaluable, enabling law enforcement to solve even decades-old cases and offering hope to others facing similar circumstances. Its ability to connect distant relatives through DNA has transformed the landscape of historic homicide and unidentified human remains investigations.”
To date, 23 cases have been submitted for IGG analysis. In 2024, two cases were resolved using IGG. Additionally, IGG was utilized to identify a victim in a case from 19 years ago.
