PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) has made a significant breakthrough in a cold case dating back to January 12, 1985, thanks to advancements in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). This development has led to the identification of previously unidentified human remains.
The case began when children discovered the remains in a wooded area near a canal bank. The PBSO and the Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an investigation, but the identity of the deceased remained unknown, and the case was classified as a homicide. Despite the DNA being entered into the FBI’s CODIS database, no match was initially found.
Recent advancements in genetic genealogy, facilitated by Othram, have now identified the deceased as Terry Ketron. Investigations into Ketron’s background revealed he traveled to South Florida from Kentucky in the early 1980s with a female companion, known only as Connie or Bonnie. The last contact Ketron had with his family was a phone call during which he mentioned problems with his girlfriend and her family. He had not been heard from since.
PBSO Cold Case Detectives are now appealing to the public for assistance in identifying Ketron’s female companion and any other friends or associates who might provide further insight into this case. The breakthrough not only brings a measure of closure to a long-standing mystery but also demonstrates the evolving capabilities of forensic science in solving cold cases.