Human bones found near the Hoover Dam in 2009 identified as a Michigan man

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

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

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

Workers found a bone and continued the search. The workers would find more bones, a pair of sun-bleached jeans, a damaged white towel, a sun-bleached red T-shirt, a black trainer 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 were unable to find any results.

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 for a DNA profile and submitted to CODIS in an effort to identify him. A sample was also provided to the University of Texas to obtain a DNA sample.

All these attempts were negative.

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

This month, researchers discovered that the John Doe was a descendant of ancestors born in the mid-1800s and living in Michigan.

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

Reference tests confirmed Hietamaki’s identity.

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