Alleged Identity of Man Found in Burning Boat Revealed After 30 Years

It’s a chilling story that’s been waiting in the shadows for three long decades. Recently, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office claimed they have identified a man found burning in an abandoned boat back in 1992. This man is allegedly Kevin Lynn Capps, who was just 30 years old at the time of his suspicious death near I-15 in Ogden, Utah.

Imagine the scene: authorities arrive to find a boat engulfed in flames, with a body onboard that’s so badly burned it’s unrecognizable. Despite efforts to identify him through dental records and DNA, no luck came for over 30 years. The investigation hit a dead end, leaving many unanswered questions.

But here’s where it gets intriguing. After the case lay cold for all those years, the Weber Metro Unsolved Case Task Force was formed. With the help of Othram Inc., a forensic genetic genealogy company, advanced DNA testing techniques were employed. They utilized forensic genome sequencing, which, according to CEO David Mittelman, allowed them to analyze evidence previously deemed unsuitable for testing.

The results were astonishing. Instead of the usual 20 DNA markers found in cases like these, they identified nearly 500,000 markers! This breakthrough led them to Kevin’s relatives, and just weeks later, they were able to confirm his identity.

For his daughter, Chelsea LaRoe, who believed her father had abandoned her, this revelation brought a whirlwind of emotions. Now 36, she expressed feelings of sadness and anger but also a sense of closure. The day she learned about her father changed everything for her, and she’s grateful to the detectives who worked tirelessly on this case.

If you have any information regarding the circumstances surrounding Kevin Lynn Capps’ death, authorities encourage you to reach out at 801-778-6646.