Researchers Ask For Public's Help

Lead Researcher Dr. Erin Kimmerle says a lab analysis of the skeletal remains, including DNA testing, may help match victims with those families who have already provided DNA samples. But she says many families still haven’t come forward, and researchers need help. So far, they’ve found 11 surviving families, but need help locating 42 more on a list they’ve made public.

“And, so our hope is that will illicit some people to come forward who may be related, or if there are web sleuths out there, and genealogy buffs, who can lend a hand, then we appreciate that too. It’s something that we have genealogists working on and are working with the NamUS [National Missing and Unidentified Persons System] program and the Sheriff’s office, but the more help that we can get from the public, then the faster that process will go,” said Kimmerle