Deceased Identified

Source: Area OPP
Date: Tue Sep 17 04:00:56 MST 2024

(ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH, ON) – Police have identified the male found on the Lake Huron shoreline eight years ago using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG).

On October 15, 2016, male human remains were discovered on the Lake Huron shoreline located north of Port Albert. The adult male was wearing a life jacket. As a result, members of the Huron County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began an investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

According to the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS), the cause of death was undetermined. However, foul play was not suspected in his death.



Investigators suspected that a man who was previously interviewed by SooToday on September 15, 2016, under the assumed name of Mitchell NELSON, could be the male discovered deceased a month later. The OPP requested public assistance for information through media relations and social media. A photo is attached to this media release.

CIB detectives submitted the male’s DNA for IGG in January 2023 to determine the male’s identity. The Toronto Police Service (TPS) provided genealogy support and on July 15, 2024, a family member’s DNA was used to confirm that the male was Garnet Michael NELSON of Alberta. He was 56 years old at the time of his death and investigators have confirmed that he is the same man that was interviewed by the news outlet in September 2016.

The investigation was assisted by Huron County OPP Crime Unit, OPP Forensic Identification Services, Victim Services, TPS, the Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC) and OFPS.