What would you do if someone you loved vanished and was never heard from again? That was the case for several families we interviewed on the first five episodes of The Unidentifieds podcast. In previous episodes, we explored the rapidly expanding use of genetic genealogy in finding the identities of long lost souls whose remains were found in Oregon. We told the stories of a nomadic Navy veteran, a young woman who liked to sing, a girl who wore a pink plaid coat and mother of pearl ring, and...

In September 1979, two hikers discovered human remains on a rocky slope above a little-used trail near Multnomah Falls. They found bones, a skull and a few personal belongings: gold-rimmed aviator glasses, a yellow cap with black felt letters reading “NT” and a chewed-up checkbook from First National Bank of Oregon. But there was no wallet or other identifying information. Based on the bones and hair found at the scene, investigators determined the body likely belonged to a man, between 20...

On August 2, 1986, two U.S. Forest Service workers were out collecting timber data on a remote logging road in the Mt. Hood National Forest near Government Camp when they stumbled upon a human skull, bone fragments, and a single tooth. Investigators took photos of the scene and the remains were transported and inventoried at the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. The coroner estimated that the skull had been in the woods for about a decade, which meant the person had died around 1976....

In the first two episodes of The Unidentifieds, we explored two decades-old cold cases involving remains found in southern Oregon. We learned how DNA and genealogical sleuthing gave a little boy and a young woman their names back. But what is genetic genealogy? It goes far beyond the 23andMe gift card you received a few holidays ago from a relative. In Episode 3, hosts Regan Mertz and Dave Killen look at the process of genetic genealogy itself and how advances in DNA technology have made it...

On the morning of July 11, 1963, a fisherman made a horrifying discovery: He stumbled across the concealed remains of a 2-year-old boy. The tiny body was wrapped in blankets, tied with wire and held down by iron weights in the Keene Creek Reservoir along Oregon 66 east of Ashland, Oregon. Officials moved the body to a cemetery where his tombstone read, “Unknown Baby Boy 1961-1963.″ The investigation was given case number 63-2301. For more than 50 years, it wouldn’t get much further than that....

There are so many unidentified human remains in the United States that the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System calls it “the nation’s silent mass disaster.” Roughly 4,400 human remains are found every year, and nearly one-quarter of those remain unidentified after one year. Some people were never reported missing. Some went missing decades ago. Some remains are incomplete, parts of them still out there like missing pieces to a puzzle. Cases run cold. The unidentified remains are...

There are 120 unidentified human remains in Oregon – cases exist in all but three counties. Most were discovered in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, parts of their skeleton scattered in between rocks and twigs, and most go unfound and unidentified for decades. The Unidentifieds, a narrative podcast hosted by Regan Mertz and Dave Killen for The Oregonian/OregonLive, tells the story of four of those cold cases and how online genealogy and forensic anthropology helped families get closure. Get...

The News Updates with The Oregonian podcast is on indefinite hiatus. Thanks for listening over the years. Make sure to check out our other podcast offerings at Oregonlive.com/podcasts. We’ve got a news podcast called Beat Check with The Oregonian where we take you behind the headlines of important stories, we’ve also got a travel and outdoors podcast called Peak Northwest and several sports podcasts, including Blazer Focused, Soccer Made in Portland and Sports by Northwest. You can also...

A lawsuit alleges the St. Helen's School District allowed complaints of teacher harassment to go unchecked, Portland's O'Bryant square is reopening and area ice creameries gear up for warmer weather. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

School district failed to protect 7th grade girl who was bullied, beaten by classmates, lawsuit alleges. Crew lands on remote Oregon ‘Terrible Tilly’ lighthouse for first time in years. Here’s what they found. 3 Portland restaurants among finalists for 2023 James Beard restaurant and chef awards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two of three victims in a weekend shooting were identified as Portland high school students. The former Department of Environmental Quality leader resigned after an employee relationship. Tina Kotek wants school districts to use a research-backed approach to teaching reading. And Portland is getting new pickleball courts with a bar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon lawmakers are considering SB 611, which would further limit rent hikes following a similar bill passed in 2019. An Oregon high school vice principal has been arrested for alleged sex solicitation. Surveillance footage shows the moment three people fired guns at a light-colored sedan, killing three people inside. An Oregon-based pizzeria is closing three of its five locations effective immediately. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Kotek pledges to get Mayor Wheeler's administration the money it says it needs to continue homeless sweeps and clean ups. Oregon's largest arcade can now say it is the best place in the world for pinball. Darcell XV, Portland's oldest living drag icon, passed away at 92, but her friends and family are continuing her legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State budget writers pledge to keep putting savings in the state's rainy day funds. Washington authorities say they've found the bodies of a missing mother and daughter. Oregon lawmakers want to make One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest the state's official film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's quest to secure money for his planned mass tent encampments continues to sputter. North Plains is the fastest growing city in the Portland area. Xico, a Southeast Portland restaurant known for its house-milled tortillas, mezcal margaritas and serene back patio, has closed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill to let motorcyclists slip past traffic passes Oregon Senate. Oregon battery parts producer plans $1.5B manufacturing campus in Indiana. Here’s what’s replacing Portland’s oldest Jewish deli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon advances bill that would allow anyone to pump their own gas. Oregonians are getting gloomy about the economy, poll finds. Portland’s oldest Jewish deli will close in coming days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ancient Hyena skull still missing, store owner says. Blazer fall cold in 4th, lose once again. First day of spring will be wet but warmth is coming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bill moves forward on semiconductors, but no one seems pleased. OSU gets designation for recruiting diverse engineering students. Portland’s 2021 Restaurant of the Year expands east. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon suspends EV rebate. Kotek still needs to win over voters, poll finds. Portland Thorns streaming, TV options for season revealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

White male employees make more than women, people of color in Oregon. Feds mandate that Oregon and Washington study a draw bridge over the Columbia River. Child, 2, saved after fentanyl overdose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Portland police fail to investigate ‘alarming’ number of impaired driving cases, DA says. Blount Fine Foods to shut down NE Portland factory. Portland Timbers sign Ivorian forward Franck Boli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon State Police settle suit for $1.6 million in fatal shooting at rural home. Startup pitches $100 million data center in Cascade Locks. Oregon marijuana prices hit record lows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon City substation attacked, FBI offers reward for information. ‘Fallon Smart‘ rule enacted to crack down on foreign officials who avoid justice. Peak Northwest highlights snowshoeing in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices