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Boynton Body Found In 2003 Identified, “Maritime John Doe” Has A Name

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Maritime John Doe

Body Found In Ocean Two Decades Ago Just Identified. We Know How He Died.

Maritime John Doe
This man was identified as “Maritime John Doe” until high-tech led to a real identity in December, 2023. (PBSO).

BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com

BOYNTON BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A man found in the ocean, east of the Boynton Beach inlet back in 2003 has been identified by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. PBSO Friday night is crediting advanced Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy for the breakthrough. Police issued this statement to BocaNewsNow.com:

“On September 7, 2003, a fisherman in the Atlantic Ocean discovered the remains of an elderly male floating approximately 5 miles east of the Boynton Beach Inlet.  The deceased remained one of PBSO, Cold Cases, Unidentified Human Remains, “Nameless – Maritime John Doe”.  At the time of discovery DNA was entered in the FBI’s CODIS database in which no match was found.  

Advancements in the domain of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy facilitated by Othram led to a breakthrough in this case.  A kinship match was obtained, identifying the deceased as Donald H. Kirk, who had been reported missing to the Ft. Lauderdale PD on September 15, 2003. 

Further inquiry into Mr. Kirk’s background indicated that he traveled to Ft. Lauderdale in 2003 where he boarded a gambling boat and at some time during the gambling cruise tragically elected to end his life by jumping overboard.”

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