The remains of a man found in the Utah desert 28 years ago, with the help of a psychic, have been identified.
The man, identified as Pedro Calderon Marioni, had likely been dead for two years when he was found in 1998, according to officials from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Marioni was found on June 2, 1998, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Ticaboo, Utah, after a psychic led investigators searching for three suspects who killed a Colorado police officer.
His remains, which were discovered by a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agent, were found near a drainage path and were partially covered by sand, rock and dirt.
Personal items were found near his remains, including cowboy boots, a bathrobe, a Ford truck key and a long-distance calling card.
Investigators believed at the time that he may have been traveling from Texas to California.
His remains were taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner but couldn’t be identified despite extensive investigation, and he became known as "Garfield County John Doe."
Two years ago, the state sent his remains to a cold case processing lab for advanced forensic genetic genealogy testing.
The lab was able to put together a DNA profile and give investigators new family leads.
After reviewing historical records, locating potential family members and doing multiple interviews, a possible sister was identified in May.
She provided investigators with a sample that confirmed Marioni was her brother.
This identification marks the eighth cold case ID using the lab's genetic genealogy analysis.
Marioni's identification provides long-awaited answers to a family that has lived for decades without knowing the fate of their loved one.
The sheriff’s office credits the collaboration and advancements in forensic science for the successful identification.
