Human bones found near Hoover Dam in 2009 have been identified as a Michigan man.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) — The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has recovered human bones found near the Hoover Dam back in 2009.

Through DNA testing, investigators determined that the bones belonged to William Herman Hietamaki of Michigan.

His remains were found on November 11, 2009, while workers were preparing to pour cement on Highway 93 near the Hoover Dam.

The workers found the bone and continued their agitation. Workers found more bones, a sun-bleached pair of blue jeans, a damaged white towel, a sun-bleached red T-shirt, black sneakers and a green sleeping bag.

The items were turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office. Detectives continued their investigation to follow up on leads but received no leads.

Hietamaki was considered a “John Doe” until October 2024.

On February 2, 2022, a detective received a sample of Hietamaki’s bones. He will be sent to Arizona DPS for DNA testing and submission to CODIS in an attempt to identify him. The sample was also provided to the University of Texas to obtain a DNA sample.

All these attempts turned out to be negative.

In April 2024, investigators notified Othram Inc., a genetics laboratory in Texas, of a grant they had received in the case. Otram was able to create a DNA profile and upload it to a genealogy database.

Investigators learned this month that John Doe was a descendant of ancestors born in the mid-1800s who lived in Michigan.

Hietamaki’s relatives have been found. They confirmed that they had not seen their brother since 1995 as he was traveling in the southwestern United States.

Background testing confirmed Hietamaki’s identity.

Hietamaki was born on April 4, 1950. He lived in Trout Creek and went by his middle name, Herman. After finishing school, he began traveling and was known to hitchhike and live a nomadic lifestyle.

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