Son of Juan Lacunza of Peru and Adelia Manzanares of Utah.
PRESS RELEASE TODAY - 5/8/18 LYLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED! Prayers to his family!
VICTIM OF SUICIDE IDENTIFIED AFTER 16 ½ YEARS
In September of 2001, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office started an investigation into the identity of a man who committed suicide in Amanda Park, Washington. The man had checked into a motel using the fictitious name of Lyle Stevik. Investigators spent countless hours over the years attempting to identify the deceased man.
Earlier this year, the Sheriff's Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office were contacted by Margaret Press and Colleen Fitzpatrick, co-founders of the non-profit DNA Doe Project. This group offered to fund the analysis of "Lyle's" DNA with the hopes of identifying possible family members. The coroner's office provide a DNA sample to this group. Through their organization, about 20 volunteers worked hundreds of hours on "Lyle's" identification since obtaining his DNA results on March 22.
Aside from the hard-working volunteers, the group's organizers wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the many donors who contributed to the cost of the tests. This was the group's first Doe Fund Me case and was funded in less than 24 hours with contributions from around the world. The group also wanted to thank all 900,000 plus people who have contributed their DNA results to the GEDmatch database. Without them this identification could never have been made.
In speaking with Margaret Press, she stated that "cases like these are heart-breaking. During those hundreds of hours there wasn't one where we didn't all think of the family he left behind. They are what kept us going".
Through the work of the DNA Doe Project, the group was able to come up with a possible match of a man from California. Associated with this possible match were names of relatives. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office were able to contact these possible family members and eventually able to positively identify "Lyle" through fingerprints provided by the family. The family believed that "Lyle" was still alive, just did not want to associate with family. Our victim was 25 years of age at the time of his death.
As a matter of practice, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office does not provide the names of individuals who have committed suicide. And the family of "Lyle" has also requested that his name not be released.
We are thankful for all involved who helped finally solve this 16 ½ year mystery.
-Steve Shumate
Gray's Harbour Sheriff's Office
Lyle is one of the 1st cases a new organization called DNA Doe Project has taken on to try to solve his case using DNA for family tree sites such as adoptees use to find birth family thru the public DNA database GEDmatch and GEDmatch Genesis. If you've done your DNA at Ancestry, 23 and me, FTDNA or My Heritage, ask me how to upload to GEDmatch. See the article (link below) DNA links John Doe's ancestry to Rio Arriba, Taos counties - " the non-profit DNA Doe Project linked John Doe's DNA to what they call a cluster of potential matches in Rio Arriba and Taos counties in northern New Mexico.
"It appears there were a number of founding families that go back to the 1700s in that same area," said Margaret Press, a genealogist and co-founder of the nonprofit. "They're a close-knit community and intermarried a lot which is why we're seeing such a heavy concentration."
John Doe is believed to be a quarter Native American and a quarter Hispanic or Spanish."
http://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/dna-links-john-does-ancestry-to-rio-arriba-taos-counties/1103529461
John Doe known as Lyle Stevik as he had checked into the motel using the name "Lyle Stevik" from 1019 S. Progress Avenue, Meridian, Idaho. The address he listed is for a motel. Lyle Stevik is a character in the book You Must Remember This, by Joyce Carol Oates. We do not know if he took the name from the book.
He indicated that he was going to stay a few more days though he had only paid for one evening. The maid entered the room on September 17, 2001 and found him hanging from the coat rack with his leather belt. He had left money on the nightstand with a note that said "For the Room". The only personal belongings in his possession was a toothbrush and paste.
He arrived by bus, possibly one that came from Port Angeles (south), but a bus came up from Aberdeen (northbound) and arrived about the same time. Neither driver was sure if he was on their bus. He arrived with no luggage, and there was no luggage, clothing, etc. in the motel dumpster.∼Son of Juan Lacunza of Peru and Adelia Manzanares of Utah.
PRESS RELEASE TODAY - 5/8/18 LYLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED! Prayers to his family!
VICTIM OF SUICIDE IDENTIFIED AFTER 16 ½ YEARS
In September of 2001, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office started an investigation into the identity of a man who committed suicide in Amanda Park, Washington. The man had checked into a motel using the fictitious name of Lyle Stevik. Investigators spent countless hours over the years attempting to identify the deceased man.
Earlier this year, the Sheriff's Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office were contacted by Margaret Press and Colleen Fitzpatrick, co-founders of the non-profit DNA Doe Project. This group offered to fund the analysis of "Lyle's" DNA with the hopes of identifying possible family members. The coroner's office provide a DNA sample to this group. Through their organization, about 20 volunteers worked hundreds of hours on "Lyle's" identification since obtaining his DNA results on March 22.
Aside from the hard-working volunteers, the group's organizers wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the many donors who contributed to the cost of the tests. This was the group's first Doe Fund Me case and was funded in less than 24 hours with contributions from around the world. The group also wanted to thank all 900,000 plus people who have contributed their DNA results to the GEDmatch database. Without them this identification could never have been made.
In speaking with Margaret Press, she stated that "cases like these are heart-breaking. During those hundreds of hours there wasn't one where we didn't all think of the family he left behind. They are what kept us going".
Through the work of the DNA Doe Project, the group was able to come up with a possible match of a man from California. Associated with this possible match were names of relatives. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office were able to contact these possible family members and eventually able to positively identify "Lyle" through fingerprints provided by the family. The family believed that "Lyle" was still alive, just did not want to associate with family. Our victim was 25 years of age at the time of his death.
As a matter of practice, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office does not provide the names of individuals who have committed suicide. And the family of "Lyle" has also requested that his name not be released.
We are thankful for all involved who helped finally solve this 16 ½ year mystery.
-Steve Shumate
Gray's Harbour Sheriff's Office
Lyle is one of the 1st cases a new organization called DNA Doe Project has taken on to try to solve his case using DNA for family tree sites such as adoptees use to find birth family thru the public DNA database GEDmatch and GEDmatch Genesis. If you've done your DNA at Ancestry, 23 and me, FTDNA or My Heritage, ask me how to upload to GEDmatch. See the article (link below) DNA links John Doe's ancestry to Rio Arriba, Taos counties - " the non-profit DNA Doe Project linked John Doe's DNA to what they call a cluster of potential matches in Rio Arriba and Taos counties in northern New Mexico.
"It appears there were a number of founding families that go back to the 1700s in that same area," said Margaret Press, a genealogist and co-founder of the nonprofit. "They're a close-knit community and intermarried a lot which is why we're seeing such a heavy concentration."
John Doe is believed to be a quarter Native American and a quarter Hispanic or Spanish."
http://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/dna-links-john-does-ancestry-to-rio-arriba-taos-counties/1103529461
John Doe known as Lyle Stevik as he had checked into the motel using the name "Lyle Stevik" from 1019 S. Progress Avenue, Meridian, Idaho. The address he listed is for a motel. Lyle Stevik is a character in the book You Must Remember This, by Joyce Carol Oates. We do not know if he took the name from the book.
He indicated that he was going to stay a few more days though he had only paid for one evening. The maid entered the room on September 17, 2001 and found him hanging from the coat rack with his leather belt. He had left money on the nightstand with a note that said "For the Room". The only personal belongings in his possession was a toothbrush and paste.
He arrived by bus, possibly one that came from Port Angeles (south), but a bus came up from Aberdeen (northbound) and arrived about the same time. Neither driver was sure if he was on their bus. He arrived with no luggage, and there was no luggage, clothing, etc. in the motel dumpster.∼Son of Juan Lacunza of Peru and Adelia Manzanares of Utah.
Son of Juan Lacunza of Peru and Adelia Manzanares of Utah.
PRESS RELEASE TODAY - 5/8/18 LYLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED! Prayers to his family!
VICTIM OF SUICIDE IDENTIFIED AFTER 16 ½ YEARS
In September of 2001, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office started an investigation into the identity of a man who committed suicide in Amanda Park, Washington. The man had checked into a motel using the fictitious name of Lyle Stevik. Investigators spent countless hours over the years attempting to identify the deceased man.
Earlier this year, the Sheriff's Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office were contacted by Margaret Press and Colleen Fitzpatrick, co-founders of the non-profit DNA Doe Project. This group offered to fund the analysis of "Lyle's" DNA with the hopes of identifying possible family members. The coroner's office provide a DNA sample to this group. Through their organization, about 20 volunteers worked hundreds of hours on "Lyle's" identification since obtaining his DNA results on March 22.
Aside from the hard-working volunteers, the group's organizers wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the many donors who contributed to the cost of the tests. This was the group's first Doe Fund Me case and was funded in less than 24 hours with contributions from around the world. The group also wanted to thank all 900,000 plus people who have contributed their DNA results to the GEDmatch database. Without them this identification could never have been made.
In speaking with Margaret Press, she stated that "cases like these are heart-breaking. During those hundreds of hours there wasn't one where we didn't all think of the family he left behind. They are what kept us going".
Through the work of the DNA Doe Project, the group was able to come up with a possible match of a man from California. Associated with this possible match were names of relatives. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office were able to contact these possible family members and eventually able to positively identify "Lyle" through fingerprints provided by the family. The family believed that "Lyle" was still alive, just did not want to associate with family. Our victim was 25 years of age at the time of his death.
As a matter of practice, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office does not provide the names of individuals who have committed suicide. And the family of "Lyle" has also requested that his name not be released.
We are thankful for all involved who helped finally solve this 16 ½ year mystery.
-Steve Shumate
Gray's Harbour Sheriff's Office
Lyle is one of the 1st cases a new organization called DNA Doe Project has taken on to try to solve his case using DNA for family tree sites such as adoptees use to find birth family thru the public DNA database GEDmatch and GEDmatch Genesis. If you've done your DNA at Ancestry, 23 and me, FTDNA or My Heritage, ask me how to upload to GEDmatch. See the article (link below) DNA links John Doe's ancestry to Rio Arriba, Taos counties - " the non-profit DNA Doe Project linked John Doe's DNA to what they call a cluster of potential matches in Rio Arriba and Taos counties in northern New Mexico.
"It appears there were a number of founding families that go back to the 1700s in that same area," said Margaret Press, a genealogist and co-founder of the nonprofit. "They're a close-knit community and intermarried a lot which is why we're seeing such a heavy concentration."
John Doe is believed to be a quarter Native American and a quarter Hispanic or Spanish."
http://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/dna-links-john-does-ancestry-to-rio-arriba-taos-counties/1103529461
John Doe known as Lyle Stevik as he had checked into the motel using the name "Lyle Stevik" from 1019 S. Progress Avenue, Meridian, Idaho. The address he listed is for a motel. Lyle Stevik is a character in the book You Must Remember This, by Joyce Carol Oates. We do not know if he took the name from the book.
He indicated that he was going to stay a few more days though he had only paid for one evening. The maid entered the room on September 17, 2001 and found him hanging from the coat rack with his leather belt. He had left money on the nightstand with a note that said "For the Room". The only personal belongings in his possession was a toothbrush and paste.
He arrived by bus, possibly one that came from Port Angeles (south), but a bus came up from Aberdeen (northbound) and arrived about the same time. Neither driver was sure if he was on their bus. He arrived with no luggage, and there was no luggage, clothing, etc. in the motel dumpster.∼Son of Juan Lacunza of Peru and Adelia Manzanares of Utah.
PRESS RELEASE TODAY - 5/8/18 LYLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED! Prayers to his family!
VICTIM OF SUICIDE IDENTIFIED AFTER 16 ½ YEARS
In September of 2001, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office started an investigation into the identity of a man who committed suicide in Amanda Park, Washington. The man had checked into a motel using the fictitious name of Lyle Stevik. Investigators spent countless hours over the years attempting to identify the deceased man.
Earlier this year, the Sheriff's Office and the Grays Harbor County Coroner's Office were contacted by Margaret Press and Colleen Fitzpatrick, co-founders of the non-profit DNA Doe Project. This group offered to fund the analysis of "Lyle's" DNA with the hopes of identifying possible family members. The coroner's office provide a DNA sample to this group. Through their organization, about 20 volunteers worked hundreds of hours on "Lyle's" identification since obtaining his DNA results on March 22.
Aside from the hard-working volunteers, the group's organizers wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the many donors who contributed to the cost of the tests. This was the group's first Doe Fund Me case and was funded in less than 24 hours with contributions from around the world. The group also wanted to thank all 900,000 plus people who have contributed their DNA results to the GEDmatch database. Without them this identification could never have been made.
In speaking with Margaret Press, she stated that "cases like these are heart-breaking. During those hundreds of hours there wasn't one where we didn't all think of the family he left behind. They are what kept us going".
Through the work of the DNA Doe Project, the group was able to come up with a possible match of a man from California. Associated with this possible match were names of relatives. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office were able to contact these possible family members and eventually able to positively identify "Lyle" through fingerprints provided by the family. The family believed that "Lyle" was still alive, just did not want to associate with family. Our victim was 25 years of age at the time of his death.
As a matter of practice, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office does not provide the names of individuals who have committed suicide. And the family of "Lyle" has also requested that his name not be released.
We are thankful for all involved who helped finally solve this 16 ½ year mystery.
-Steve Shumate
Gray's Harbour Sheriff's Office
Lyle is one of the 1st cases a new organization called DNA Doe Project has taken on to try to solve his case using DNA for family tree sites such as adoptees use to find birth family thru the public DNA database GEDmatch and GEDmatch Genesis. If you've done your DNA at Ancestry, 23 and me, FTDNA or My Heritage, ask me how to upload to GEDmatch. See the article (link below) DNA links John Doe's ancestry to Rio Arriba, Taos counties - " the non-profit DNA Doe Project linked John Doe's DNA to what they call a cluster of potential matches in Rio Arriba and Taos counties in northern New Mexico.
"It appears there were a number of founding families that go back to the 1700s in that same area," said Margaret Press, a genealogist and co-founder of the nonprofit. "They're a close-knit community and intermarried a lot which is why we're seeing such a heavy concentration."
John Doe is believed to be a quarter Native American and a quarter Hispanic or Spanish."
http://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/dna-links-john-does-ancestry-to-rio-arriba-taos-counties/1103529461
John Doe known as Lyle Stevik as he had checked into the motel using the name "Lyle Stevik" from 1019 S. Progress Avenue, Meridian, Idaho. The address he listed is for a motel. Lyle Stevik is a character in the book You Must Remember This, by Joyce Carol Oates. We do not know if he took the name from the book.
He indicated that he was going to stay a few more days though he had only paid for one evening. The maid entered the room on September 17, 2001 and found him hanging from the coat rack with his leather belt. He had left money on the nightstand with a note that said "For the Room". The only personal belongings in his possession was a toothbrush and paste.
He arrived by bus, possibly one that came from Port Angeles (south), but a bus came up from Aberdeen (northbound) and arrived about the same time. Neither driver was sure if he was on their bus. He arrived with no luggage, and there was no luggage, clothing, etc. in the motel dumpster.∼Son of Juan Lacunza of Peru and Adelia Manzanares of Utah.
