DNA may identify Arizona teenager found dead in 1982

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 04:32 · Archive

DNA analysis may have identified a teenager whose remains were discovered in Arizona in 1982, more than four decades after his death. The DNA Doe Project says the remains, found in White Tank Mountain Regional Park and known as Buckeye John Doe, belonged to Mitchell John Pauli, a boy last known to be living in Buckeye. Air Force personnel found a skull and vertebrae on 22 April 1982 whilst searching for a fallen gun pod; no clothing or personal items were discovered.

Forensic analysis estimated the boy was between 13 and 19 years old and had died one to three years before the remains were found. According to the DNA Doe Project, Pauli was born in St. Louis in 1964 and moved with his family to Buckeye in 1967, about five miles from where his remains were later discovered. The team believes he was likely 14 when he disappeared. His age made the case harder to solve: born after the 1950 census, he had no adult records.

The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner brought the case in April 2025. It took about a year of laboratory work to build a DNA profile from the weathered bone. Once the profile was uploaded to GEDmatch Pro, matches pointed to Germany, Kentucky and Missouri, then to St. Louis, leading to the identification within seven days of research.

How it is being reported

• Cold case veteran reacts as DNA may identify Arizona teenDNA may have identified a teen found in 1982, but retired cold case Sgt. Troy Hillman says the search for what happened to him is far from over.KOLD · 15 Oct, 03:02
• Cold case veteran reacts as DNA may identify Arizona teenDNA may have identified a teen found in 1982, but retired cold case Sgt. Troy Hillman says the search for what happened to him is far from over.Azfamily · 15 Oct, 03:02

In this story: Mitchell John Pauli · Troy Hillman · DNA Doe Project · Arizona · Buckeye · White Tank Mountain Regional Park

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