Home / Crime and Justice / Vietnam Vet's Remains Identified After 44 Years
Vietnam Vet's Remains Identified After 44 Years
25 Nov
Summary
- Unidentified body found in 1981 Ojai is now a Vietnam veteran.
- Advances in DNA technology finally identified the remains.
- Investigators seek more information on the veteran's life and death.
A Vietnam War veteran, identified as Thomas Aquina Cooney, has been identified after his remains were discovered 44 years ago. Hikers found partial skeletal remains in February 1981 near mile marker 43.50 on Highway 33 in Ojai, Ventura County. The remains were accompanied by an army-style jacket and two pairs of glasses. Initial attempts to identify the man, determined to be in his late 20s or 30s, were unsuccessful due to insufficient DNA evidence.
Significant advances in DNA technology and the application of genetic genealogy research eventually provided a complete DNA profile. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office collaborated with Redgrave Research Forensic Services to conduct this extensive investigation. This breakthrough finally gave a name to the unidentified man, a Bronze Star recipient originally from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, who was born in October 1950.
Detectives were able to locate a family member who had not heard from Cooney in over fifty years. Reference DNA samples from this relative confirmed the identification. While Cooney's identity has been established, authorities are actively seeking more details about his life and the events leading to his death. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the VCSO's Cold Case Unit.
