The skeletal remains discovered over two decades ago in Stark County have been identified as Anthony Bernard Gulley, a missing person from Pontiac, Michigan. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn made the announcement, highlighting the role of DNA technology in solving this long-standing mystery.
Yost remarked on the breakthrough, stating, “The answer to this mystery may have remained lost in time if not for the tenacity of investigators and the groundbreaking power of genetic genealogy.” He expressed sympathy for Gulley's family who now has some closure but continues to grieve.
Gulley was reported missing at age 24 on September 11, 1994. His disappearance coincided with an investigation into George Frederick Washington from Michigan, who was suspected in several crimes and linked to Gulley's case after his burned car was found in Akron. Washington died by suicide later that month during an attempted arrest.
In December 2001, skeletonized remains were found in Canton but could not be identified until recent advances in DNA technology. Efforts included public appeals using clay facial reconstructions and digital images developed with Ohio State University’s Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design.
Despite these efforts, initial DNA profiling did not yield matches through law enforcement databases. The case saw progress when investigators collaborated with the DNA Doe Project to apply investigative genetic genealogy techniques. This ultimately led to confirming Gulley's identity.
Reflecting on this development, Yost said, “Today – after decades as a John Doe – Anthony Gulley finally reclaims his true identity.”
This identification marks the second success story involving unidentified remains resolved through collaboration between various agencies including BCI and nonprofit organizations like the DNA Doe Project.