DNA Doe Project Brings Closure to Two Austin Cases
In an inspiring breakthrough, the DNA Doe Project has successfully identified two long-unidentified individuals whose remains were found in Austin in 2020 and 2021. These cases, previously known as "Slaughter Creek Jane Doe" and "Travis County John Doe," have now been identified as Sherry Brock and Leon Curtis, respectively. The project’s efforts exemplify how advanced DNA technology and determined genealogical research can restore names and stories to those who were once lost.
Sherry Brock's remains were discovered on April 12, 2020, near Slaughter Creek, while Leon Curtis was found on March 10, 2021, in Travis County. Despite the grim circumstances of their discoveries, authorities have ruled out foul play in both cases. Curtis’s cause of death was attributed to natural causes, specifically cardiovascular disease, while Brock's cause remains undetermined.
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Central to solving these mysteries was the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization powered by around 90 dedicated volunteers across the globe. This group collaborates with agencies and employs sophisticated DNA matching techniques, using databases like GEDmatch and Family Tree DNA to trace distant relatives. Volunteers construct family trees from DNA matches, often starting with distant cousins and working backward through generations.
In these cases, the paths to identification were intricate. For Curtis, the genealogical trail led back to a woman born in the 1850s in North Carolina. From her descendants, researchers traced Curtis, who had lived in Austin until his death. Brock’s identification was even more complex, involving connections across multiple states and a family tree tied to an adoptee.
The emotional impact of this work resonates deeply with the volunteers. "Even though the answers may not be what families hope for, having an answer provides closure," noted team leader Matthew Waterfield.
The DNA Doe Project’s success in Austin underscores the importance of such initiatives. With over 50,000 unidentified remains across the United States, their mission remains vital. Contributions to the project, including uploading personal DNA data to compatible databases, can help solve other cases and bring peace to grieving families.
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