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DNA Testing Begins in Toledo Cold Case

On June 16, 1987, the body of a young woman was discovered behind an auto repair shop on Collingwood Boulevard near Interstate 75. It appeared that she had been dead for at least several days. At the time she was … Continue reading “DNA Testing Begins in Toledo Cold Case”

A Porchlight Project Exclusive: 1988 Paris Township John Doe Identified as David Kaziateck

By Carolyn Berardino After 35 years, The Portage County Sheriff’s Office, with help from Ohio’s BCI, has identified a John Doe, whose remains were found partially buried in a shallow grave in Paris Township in 1988. In August 2023, detectives … Continue reading “A Porchlight Project Exclusive: 1988 Paris Township John Doe Identified as David Kaziateck”

Val Bogart, Lead Genealogist for the Porchlight Project, Awarded by Youngstown PD.

Congratulations to Lead Genealogist for the Porchlight Project, Val Bogart, who received a special reward for service from the Youngstown Police Department at their annual awards ceremony. Earlier this year Val successfully identified an unknown homicide victim from a 46 … Continue reading “Val Bogart, Lead Genealogist for the Porchlight Project, Awarded by Youngstown PD.”

The Porchlight Project Solves John Doe Case for Youngstown P.D.

The Porchlight Project’s own genetic genealogist, Val Bogart, tracked a DNA profile from a 1976 Youngstown John Doe to a specific family tree, and identified Robert “Earl” Sanders as the victim. This is the first solve for our in-house genealogist … Continue reading “The Porchlight Project Solves John Doe Case for Youngstown P.D.”