Cold Case Solved after 24 Years

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office announced the identification of human remains fished out of the Monterey Bay back in 2021. The county worked with the California department of justice DNA lab, and the private forensics company Othram.

The remains were identified as 36 year old Jefferey Hulliger, who was lost at sea while fishing with a friend in the Monterey Bay back in January of 1997. His friend and boatmate, Greg Mitchell, has never been found.

Authorities say the fishermen sent out a distress signal from their boat, "Salmon's Patty", but coast guard weren't able to find them. Only debris was discovered, but the vessel and the people aboard were presumed drowned.

Othram’s genealogists used Investigative Genetic Genealogy to identify potential family members of the deceased person, giving investigators fresh leads to follow-up on. This discovery finally bringing Hulliger home after 24 years lost at sea.