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Mystery Bones Solved: Skull Plate Reveals Identity
27 Jul
Summary
- Skeletal remains discovered under a West Virginia bridge were identified.
- A unique skull surgery aided investigators in identifying the remains.
- Jeffrey Allen Blake was identified after 12 years; death circumstances remain unclear.
Skeletal remains discovered under a bridge in West Virginia on Aug. 31, 2014, have been identified as Jeffrey Allen Blake after almost 12 years. Initial analysis at the Smithsonian suggested the remains belonged to a man between 45 and 55, noting evidence of physical labor, poor dental health, and a prior skull surgery.
The Y-shaped titanium plate used in the surgery became a key clue. Investigators shared images of the skull and plate on social media in February 2026, leading to contact from the surgeon who performed the procedure, likely between 1995 and 2010. The surgery was possibly conducted at CAMC General Hospital in Charleston, WV.
DNA testing, including submissions to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and use of the CODIS system, confirmed the remains belonged to Blake. Despite his ties to another West Virginia location, the events leading to his death near Clendenin remain unclear. The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate and seeks public assistance.
