Human bones found near Hoover Dam in 2009, identified as Michigan man

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (FOX5) – The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has identified human bones found near Hoover Dam in 2009.

Through DNA testing, investigators determined that the bones belonged to William Herman Hietamaki of Michigan.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office identified human bones found near Hoover Dam in 2009. — The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office identified human bones found near Hoover Dam in 2009.(MCSO)

His remains were found on November 11, 2009, when workers were about to pour cement on Highway 93 near the Hoover Dam.

Workers found the bone and continued canvassing. Workers found more bones, a sun-faded pair of blue jeans, a worn-out white towel, a sun-faded red T-shirt, a black sneaker and a green sleeping bag.

The items were turned over to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office. Detectives continued their investigation to generate leads but received no results.

Hietamaki was considered a “John Doe” until October 2024.

On February 2, 2022, a detective obtained a sample of Hietamaki’s bones. It will be sent to Arizona DPS for a DNA profile and sent to CODIS to identify it. A sample was also delivered to the University of Texas for DNA sampling.

All these tests gave negative results.

In April 2024, investigators notified the Othram Inc. genetic laboratory. in Texas about the grant they received for this case. Othram managed to create a DNA profile and submit it to a genealogy database.

This month, investigators learned that John Doe was descended from ancestors born in the mid-19th century and living in Michigan.

Hietamaka’s relatives have been found. They confirmed that they had not seen their brother since 1995, when he was traveling in the southwestern United States.

Reference tests confirmed Hietamaki’s identity.

Hietamaki was born on April 4, 1950. He lived in Trout Creek and used his middle name, Herman. After graduating from high school, he began traveling, hitchhiking and leading a nomadic lifestyle.