Community Outreach Launched to Generate Leads in the “Gila County, Arizona John Doe 1988” Case
September 25th, 2025
We are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man found in Gila County, Arizona, in 1988. Several details about him may help generate leads.
Key Characteristics:
Missing prior to 1988
Estimated birth year: 1933–1943
Estimated height: 5'9" (69 inches)
Hair: Brown, graying
Medical history: Gout in hands and wrists
Injury history: Significant trauma to the right side of the body during childhood
Additional Investigative Genetic Genealogical (IGG) context:
Strong Polish ancestry on both sides of his family (with possible German connections)
Likely immigrant ancestors within the last 150 years
People with Polish ancestry are especially important in this case. Polish DNA is greatly underrepresented in the databases available for investigative genealogy. Because this work depends on finding and connecting even very distant cousins, every upload matters. Even if you don’t think you’re related to this man, if you have Polish heritage you could still share a connection without realizing it—and that unknown link could be the key to uncovering his identity. In fact, in many cases like this, it is distant cousins who never knew the person who ultimately make it possible to return them to their families.
You can make a difference by uploading your commercial DNA results to databases used by investigative genealogists:
DNA Justice (non-public; profiles are visible only to IGG professionals)
FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA)
Contrary to popular belief, services like Ancestry and 23andMe are not available to us for this type of work. This is why uploading to the databases above is so important.
For step-by-step instructions on transferring your AncestryDNA results into GedMatch, please review this video. If you would like assistance with export/import from/to other systems, please contact us and we provide further details.
At the very least, please consider sharing this case information in Polish community groups on social media. The more widely it is shared, the greater the chance that someone will recognize this man.
