Remains discovered in western Indiana in 1998
Remains unearthed in western Indiana in 1998.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — After more than 25 years, skeletal remains discovered near a western Indiana highway overpass have been identified as those of Mitchell Preston, an Anderson man who went missing in 1997 while en route to California, authorities revealed on Wednesday.
The remains were found by a state highway worker in January 1998 near an Interstate 70 overpass in Vigo County, close to the Illinois border, approximately 120 miles southwest of Anderson. Despite extensive efforts to identify the remains over the years, it was only through recent advancements in forensic genetic genealogy that a breakthrough was made.
Last year, Indiana State Police, in collaboration with the Vigo County Coroner’s Office and the University of Indianapolis, enlisted the help of Othram, a company specialising in DNA analysis for forensic purposes. Using DNA extracted from the skeletal remains, Othram was able to develop a profile which led to the identification of Mitchell Preston.
Sgt. Matt Ames of the Indiana State Police confirmed that DNA provided by Preston’s relatives played a crucial role in confirming his identity. While this discovery brings some closure to Preston’s family, the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery, prompting authorities to keep the case open for further investigation.
Appeal for information
State police detectives are urging anyone with information about Mitchell Preston’s disappearance or the events leading to his death to come forward. If you have any relevant details or may have seen Preston during his journey in 1997, please contact the authorities at 1-800-225-8576.
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“Remains found in western Indiana in 1998 identified”.
