Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Skull Found 55 Years Ago Identified as War Veteran: California Authorities

A skull that was discovered by two teenagers playing in a rockpile more than half a century ago has now been identified as belonging to a veteran of two wars, according to California authorities.

Through DNA testing, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the previously unidentified remains have been identified as those of William Melvin Toller, who was born in 1927 and served in both World War II and the Korean War.

Investigators were able to trace Toller’s daughter, Anona, who currently resides in Louisiana, based on the DNA results.

Toller, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 15 during World War II, fought in the South Pacific and was wounded in combat. After the war, he pursued a degree in psychology at the University of Idaho and then reenlisted to serve in the Korean War.

His daughter informed investigators that her mother had mentioned Toller being a “different man” after his return from Korea, which led officials to speculate that he may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his wartime experiences.

During the 1950s, Toller’s parents divorced, and Anona lost contact with her father when she was just 8 years old, she disclosed during the investigation.

Following the initial discovery of his remains, Toller was buried in Humboldt County in 1968. In 2010, his remains were exhumed, and a DNA sample was obtained for further testing.

In December 2022, the DNA was sent to Othram, a commercial company, for additional analysis using forensic genetic genealogy. This approach generated new leads, ultimately leading investigators to Toller’s daughter. The DNA sample provided by Anona proved to be a genetic match to her father’s.

Despite the identification of Toller’s remains, investigators are still seeking information regarding his last known activities and cause of death.

If you have any information that could assist in this investigation, please contact Cold Case Investigator Mike Fridley at 707-441-3024.

Humboldt County, located approximately 300 miles northwest of San Francisco near the Oregon border, is where this significant discovery was made.

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