Skull of man found on bank of Neosho River identified
LYON COUNTY (KSNT) – The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has determined the identity of a man after his skull was found on the Neosho River.
On April 29, 2017, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the 2000 block of Road 145 on the north side of the Neosho Rapids. Deputies discovered a skull along the banks of the river.
Detectives responded and took over the investigation.
The case details were added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System in August 2017. In 2018, the case was submitted to the FBI for DNA analysis.
In 2022, forensic evidence was given to Othram scientists, who created a DNA profile of the unidentified man. Othram's team found new leads that were given back to law enforcement. Using the information, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office contacted a potential relative of the man.
With follow-up DNA testing with family members, the deceased was able to be identified as Randy Bruce Clayton, born on Oct. 12, 1953.
"The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Othram/ DNASolves.com, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, NamUs, and the Lyon County Attorney’s Office for their assistance in identifying Mr. Clayton," the sheriff's office wrote in a press release.
No additional information was provided as the investigation is still ongoing, the sheriff's office said.
For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. To download our Storm Track Weather App, click here.