Remains Found Over 40 Years Ago Identified as Missing Vietnam War Vet

Partial skeletal remains discovered more than 40 years ago in Southern California have now been identified through DNA technology as belonging to a missing Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star recipient, authorities confirmed this week. 

The victim was Thomas Aquinas Cooney, who was born on Oct. 5, 1950, in Bryn Mawr, Pa., the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday, Nov. 24, news release.

Officials said hikers originally came across the remains near mile marker 43.50 on Highway 33 in Ojai, Calif., in February 1981 and contacted authorities.

Investigators recovered a green army-style jacket and two pairs of glasses along with the remains, which were determined to belong to a White man in his late 20s or 30s.

“The cause of death could not be determined,” the sheriff’s office said this week.

The medical examiner’s office submitted evidence to the Department of Justice in relation to the case in 2004, according to the sheriff’s office.

However, that evidence was not entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (or CODIS) because only a partial profile was obtained. The case was later entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

In August, the sheriff’s office partnered with Redgrave Research Forensic Services to conduct genetic genealogy research in the so-called John Doe case, the company said in its own news release.

An analysis of the DNA revealed that the victim’s ancestors were of European descent and that his genetic cousins had Slovak ancestry. 

Two months ago, Redgrave Research located a probable sibling group that likely included the John Doe, the company said. After contact was made, they consented to have their DNA submitted for comparison with the victim’s remains.

“They also mentioned that one of their brothers had gone missing prior to the discovery of the remains,” Redgrave Research said. “The family had done extensive searching as well as hired a private investigator in hopes of finding their missing relative, but unfortunately they were unable to find out what happened to him.”

Both the sheriff’s office and Redgrave Research have since confirmed that the victim was Cooney.

“We are honored to assist in giving Tom his name back,” Dr. Anthony Redgrave of Redgrave Research Forensic Services said in a statement. “Our team extends our deep condolences to his family and friends, and we hope that having an answer as to what happened to him brings them some peace, even if it’s not the answer anyone ever wants.”

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”Thomas Aquinas Cooney can finally rest with his name restored. My heart goes out to his family, who searched for so long. Thank you to everyone who worked to bring him home,” said Araseli Acevedo, an investigator with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, according to Redgrave Research’s news release. 

The sheriff’s office asked those with any information about Cooney’s whereabouts before the discovery of his remains contact them at 805-383-8739 or coldcase@venturacounty.gov.