Authorities have positively identified a human skull found six years ago by a group of children in Colorado, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday. The skull, missing part of its jaw, has been identified as belonging to David Michael Crady, born in October 1955. However, the circumstances surrounding his death and how his remains ended up near a power pole in Lawson, Colorado, remain a mystery.
Eerie discovery in 2018
In May 2018, local children made the chilling discovery of the cranium and a nearby tooth fragment. The skull, missing its lower jaw but otherwise undamaged, was examined by a forensic anthropologist who determined it came from a man of European ancestry and showed evidence of trauma.
Forensic examination and DNA analysis
The skull was subsequently sent to the University of North Texas for DNA extraction, which was then entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Person Systems. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) utilized advanced genealogy techniques in 2023 to find a DNA match for the remains. This led police to locate possible family members who had lost contact with Crady. A relative was asked to submit a DNA sample, which confirmed Crady’s identity with a 99.99% accuracy rate.
Official statements and ongoing mystery
“We deeply appreciate the efforts and collaboration of the University of North Texas, CBI, and our forensic experts,” Sheriff Matthew Harris said in a statement. “This identification will hopefully provide some closure for Mr Crady’s family.” Despite the positive identification, many questions remain unanswered about David Michael Crady’s life and the circumstances leading to his death. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the full story behind this decades-old mystery.
