{“title”:”Reveals: Florida Man Identified After 10-Year Mystery”,”body”:”At a Glance
– The body found in Big Pine Key during Hurricane Irma is now identified as James Donald Schlake, 77.
– DNA sequencing by Othram solved a case that had stumped investigators for nearly a decade.
– The discovery highlights the power of modern genetic genealogy in cold-case investigations.
– Why it matters: Families finally receive closure, and the Florida Keys community gains a long-awaited answer.
The remains of an unidentified man were discovered in a debris pile in Big Pine Key, Florida, on Sept. 14, 2017. Nearly ten years later, authorities announced that the victim was James Donald Schlake, a 77-year-old resident of Key Largo. The identification was made possible by advanced DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy work conducted by the laboratory Othram.
## Discovery Amid Hurricane Irma
The body was found during search operations that followed Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm that left almost 129 people dead and caused $90 billion in damage across the state. The victim was wearing a life jacket, and the Monroe County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as drowning and the manner accidental.
> “Following an autopsy, the Monroe County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be drowning and ruled the manner of death accidental,” the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) added.
At the time of discovery, investigators had no leads. The man was described as an adult male between 45 and 75 years old, about 5’ 10″ tall and weighing 115 lbs, with gray or partially gray hair and a short beard and mustache. He became known as “Monroe County John Doe.”
## Timeline of Investigation
| Date | Event |
|——|——-|
| Sept. 14, 2017 | Body found in Big Pine Key debris pile |
| Dec. 2023 | Sample sent to FDLE labs; no leads obtained |
| June 2025 | Sample submitted to Othram for advanced DNA sequencing |
| Jan. 21, 2024 | FDLE announced identification of the victim |
In December 2023, a sample was sent to the FDLE laboratories for examination, but the agency reported that no leads were obtained. The case remained cold until June 2025, when the sample was forwarded to Othram. The laboratory’s scientists performed advanced DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy research, generating a comprehensive genetic profile.
## DNA Breakthrough
Othram’s approach involved extracting DNA from the remains and building a genetic profile that could be matched against living relatives. Once a potential match was found, DNA samples from a relative were collected and compared to the profile. The match confirmed the identity of the man as James Donald Schlake, born December 17, 1940.
> “This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be James Donald Schlake, born December 17, 1940,” Othram said.
The identification marks the 49th publicly announced case in Florida in which officials employed Othram’s services. Kristen Mittelman, Othram’s chief development officer, emphasized the broader implications:
> “People should know that it doesn’t matter how old a case is, if there is DNA, there is technology here today that works and is able to bring answers to families, like in this case,” Mittelman said.
## Impact on the Community
The announcement was met with relief by the family of the deceased and the broader Florida Keys community. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass highlighted the collaborative effort:
> “FDLE’s Key West Field Office and Forensic Services turned over every stone to identify Mr. Schlake. Our statewide forensic resources and strong partnerships are critical to supporting Florida’s communities and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration helped bring long-awaited answers to Mr. Schlake’s loved ones and to the Florida Keys community.”
The case underscores how modern DNA technology can solve cold cases that have lingered for years, providing closure to families and reinforcing trust in law-enforcement processes.
## Key Takeaways
– James Donald Schlake was identified after nearly a decade of uncertainty.
– Othram’s advanced DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy were pivotal.
– The case illustrates the power of forensic collaboration in the Florida Keys.
– Modern DNA technology can bring answers to cold cases, regardless of how long they have remained unsolved.
The story is a testament to perseverance and scientific advancement, offering hope that other unidentified remains may also be resolved in the future.
Never miss a story – sign up for News Of Los Angeles‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what News Of Los Angeles has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“,”meta_description”:”After a decade, the body found in Big Pine Key during Hurricane Irma is identified as James Donald Schlake, 77, thanks to DNA tech.”,”categories”:[“Breaking News”,”Tech News”,”Health News”]}
