The Wisconsin cold case was solved 65 years later and revealed the tragic death of an adopted child

MEQUON, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in southeastern Wisconsin have identified the remains of a child found in a Wisconsin culvert in 1959, closing a 65-year-old cold case with the help of genetic genealogy.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement that the remains belong to Chester A. Breiney, a seven-year-old boy whose life “ended traumatically at the hands of his adoptive parents.” The discovery follows extensive research efforts involving DNA analysis and family history research.

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Chester’s remains were originally found on October 4, 1959 in Mequon. At the time, researchers had few clues other than skeletal remains, initially estimating the child’s age to be between six and eight years old.

Over the years, leads emerged in both Wisconsin and Michigan, most notably surrounding a missing child named Markku Jutila. Police questioned Markku’s adoptive parents, William and Hilja Jutila, who admitted to leaving their adopted son’s body on the side of a road near Mequon after he died.

However, in 1966, charges against the Jutilas were dropped due to a lack of conclusive evidence linking the remains to Markku, leaving the case unsolved.

In recent years, renewed efforts have led to a breakthrough. Special Agent Neil McGrath, Detective Scott Heller and forensic analysts from the Wisconsin Department of Justice used modern DNA extraction and genealogy techniques, working with laboratories and genealogists to match the remains to Chester Breiney, formerly known as Markku Jutila.

Further investigation revealed a history of neglect and malnutrition in Chester’s skeletal analysis. His adoptive parents, who both died in 1988, can no longer be prosecuted.

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In a statement, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office expressed hope that Chester Breiney may now rest in peace, saying, “No child should leave this earth like Chester did.”

The office recognized the teamwork of all investigative parties over the decades and noted that without such cooperation, justice for Chester may never have been achieved.

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