ROY, Utah — The remains of a body discovered underneath an Interstate 15 overpass more than 14 years ago have finally been identified thanks to forensic breakthroughs.
The Utah State Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday that the remains found near Roy in May 2012 were identified as Florida resident Terry Richardson Chawk.
Chawk's body was discovered "in a state of advanced decomposition," according to the bureau, but no personal items or identification documents were found at the scene.
A thumbprint obtained from the remains was unable to be matched through national and international databases.
In the 14 years since the body's discovery, investigators followed up on tips and conducted local searches to help make a positive identification. It wasn't until July that a voluntary submission to a public genealogical database produced a lead.
After the bureau's Forensic Genetic Genealogist made a potential biological match through the submission, investigators contacted Chawk's brother, who provided a DNA sample to make a comparison. Further analysis of the DNA sample confirmed the identification.
The bureau has been in contact with Chawk's family and has made arrangements to return his remains.
“Our family is grateful to the investigators of the Utah State Bureau of Investigation and everyone who worked on our brother’s case to help bring us closure," said Chawk's family.
