Home / Crime and Justice / NY Cold Case: Headless Body Found in 1970 Finally Identified
NY Cold Case: Headless Body Found in 1970 Finally Identified
13 Mar
Summary
- Remains found headless and handless in Allegany County in March 1970.
- DNA analysis led to identification of Clyde A. Coppage, 35, after 56 years.
- Coppage was not from the area and had never been reported missing.
After more than half a century, New York State Police have identified the remains of a man found headless and without hands in Allegany County. The discovery was made on March 20, 1970, on Davis Hill Road in Andover. For approximately 56 years, investigators pursued every lead without success in identifying the male victim.
In June 2022, the remains were exhumed to collect DNA. Through collaboration with the FBI, the DNA profile ultimately identified the body as that of Clyde A. Coppage, aged 35. Coppage resided in Genesee, Pennsylvania, at the time he went missing. He was not originally from the Allegany County area and had never been reported missing.
The investigation into Coppage's death remains open and active. The Amity-based Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Allegany County is appealing to the public for any information regarding Coppage or the circumstances surrounding his death. Authorities can be contacted at 585-344-6200.
