NEED TO KNOW
- Skeletal remains found by a Georgia property owner in 2021 have been identified as belonging to Thomas Joe Kratzer, who was last seen in 2013
- A zip tie and two abandoned cars were also found nearby
- An investigation into what happened remains ongoing
Skeletal remains found on a property in Georgia have been identified as a man who disappeared more than a decade ago.
The remains were found in September 2021 “by a property owner in rural Dallas, Georgia,” according to a news release from Othram, a forensic laboratory specializing in human identification from degraded or limited samples.
“Upon further investigation, officials discovered a zip tie along with the remains that appeared to have been used,” as well as two abandoned vehicles about 100 years away, according to Othram.
“One of the vehicles has been identified and is not involved and the other vehicle is registered to a known gang member,” they added, noting that “it is believed that the remains may be related to that vehicle.”
Although investigators were initially able to determine that the remains belonged to a White male between the ages of 24 and 60, officials were unable to identify the man and “with few leads for investigators to pursue, the case went cold.”
Two years later, in 2023, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) submitted forensic evidence from the remains to Othram, which then developed a DNA profile of the man that was utilized to “develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.”
Investigators were then led to “potential relatives of the man,” and collected samples from one relative to compare with the unidentified individual’s profile.
Eventually, the remains were identified as belonging to Thomas Joe Kratzer, who was reported missing in Feb. 2014.
Kratzer was last seen four months prior on Oct. 17, 2013, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
When deputies did a welfare check at his last known address on Seals Road in Dallas, “the home was empty and according to the report it appeared everything of value was gone,” according to NamUs.
Sheriff Ashley Henson said the identification of these remains “brings long-awaited answers to the Kratzer family,” according to FOX affiliate WAGA-TV and ABC affiliate WSB-TV.
“It also demonstrates the unwavering dedication of our Cold Case Unit and our commitment to using every available resource and technology to bring closure to families and justice to those who have been lost,” Henson added.
The PCSO did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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An investigation into Kratzer’s death is ongoing, Othram said. His identification is the 27th case in Georgia “where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram,” they added.
Anyone with information that could help with the investigation is asked to contact the PCSO at 770-443-3010 and reference case 2021-09220092, or NamUs ID UP89733.
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