Mystery surrounding a human skull found by a group of children in Colorado six years ago has finally been solved. The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the skull belonged to David Michael Crady, born in October 1955. The discovery was made in May 2018 when local children stumbled upon the cranium and a nearby tooth fragment near a power pole in Lawson, Colorado.
Initially, the skull was missing its lower jaw, but it remained undamaged otherwise. A forensic anthropologist examined the skull and determined that it belonged to a man of European ancestry and showed signs of trauma. Investigators estimated that Crady had been dead for at least four months, potentially even longer.
To further investigate the case, the skull was sent to the University of North Texas for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was then entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Person Systems. In 2023, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation utilized advanced genealogy techniques and successfully found a DNA match for the remains.
Authorities were able to locate possible family members who had lost touch with Crady over the years. They requested a DNA sample from a relative, which confirmed the man’s identity with a staggering 99.99% accuracy rate. Sheriff Matthew Harris expressed his gratitude for the collaboration between the University of North Texas, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and their team of forensic experts. He hopes that this identification will bring some closure to Mr. Crady’s family.
While the identification has been made, the sheriff’s office is still actively investigating Crady’s death. The circumstances surrounding his demise and how his remains ended up in Lawson, Colorado remain mysterious. With the identification now in place, authorities can focus their efforts on uncovering answers and providing justice for David Michael Crady.
