After 7-year investigation, police ID remains found in remote area of northern Ont.

Police have successfully concluded a seven-year death investigation and have identified the remains of a man found in 2017 near the Sault.

His identity was determined using investigative genetic genealogy, but at the request of his family, his name is not being released.

The remains were found by a hiker on July 30, 2017, on a cliff overlooking Montreal River Harbour, about an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie.

“As a result, members of the Superior East Wawa detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police began an investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch,” police said in a news release Tuesday.

An extensive search of the area uncovered clothing, a firearm, coins and a cardboard box.

“The deceased was carrying Canadian currency,” police said.

“It is unknown how the individual arrived at the location, but it is believed they may have taken a bus, walked or hitchhiked.”

The Ontario Forensic Pathology Service determined that the human remains belonged to a male, roughly 45 to 65 years old.

A rifle found along with human remains found by a hiker on July 30, 2017, on a cliff overlooking Montreal River Harbour, about an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie. (Photo from OPP YouTube video)

“Foul play was not suspected in his death,” the release said.

“The OPP requested public assistance for information and released a re-enactment video on social media, which can be accessed here.

In April 2022, detectives submitted the man’s DNA to the DNA Doe Project in an attempt to determine his identity.

“In September 2023, the presumptive identity was verified and used by detectives to locate living family members,” the OPP said.

“A family member's DNA was used to confirm the male's identity and the family was notified of the results. The identity of the deceased male will not be shared publicly to respect the family's wishes.”

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OPP thanked the public and the media for their interest in the investigation and for tips provided in the last seven years.

"Thanks to the investigative efforts and support from many OPP units … a family has finally received answers about their loved one,” Daniel Nadeau, acting OPP Det. Sup. of the Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Implementation Team, said in the release.

“This case is another example of how technological advancements, in this instance the use of investigative genetic genealogy, can help police with historic cases. We look forward to being able to provide more families with answers in the future, as we continue to implement this technique into our investigations."