On October 24, 2024, the Millcreek Township Police Department in Pennsylvania was alerted to the discovery of human remains near the northern boundary of the Millcreek Mall, adjacent to Walnut Creek. This unsettling finding prompted a collaborative response involving the local coroner’s office, leading to an autopsy performed by a forensic pathologist.
The initial examination identified the remains as belonging to an adult female, with no evident signs of trauma or underlying disease. Following the autopsy, the remains were transferred to a local university for forensic anthropological analysis, a step critical for discerning the identity of the deceased.
In pursuit of answers, the Millcreek Township Police Department enlisted the expertise of Othram, a laboratory specializing in advanced DNA analysis. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Othram extracted DNA from the remains and compared it against publicly available DNA profiles. This genetic analysis is part of an innovative approach gaining traction in law enforcement, allowing investigators to construct wider family trees that can lead to identifying missing persons.
As potential relatives were identified, Millcreek police officers conducted numerous phone interviews in an effort to encourage family members to voluntarily submit their DNA for further analysis. This investigative strategy focused primarily on genetic networks associated with McKean and Potter Counties in Pennsylvania and Cattaraugus County in New York.
Ultimately, the extensive outreach and collaborative interviews facilitated the submission of two additional DNA samples by potential relatives. This crucial input enabled Othram to confirm that the remains belonged to Rebecca L. (Foley) Hakes, a resident of Olean, New York. According to the Olean Police Department, Hakes had been reported missing by family members in late 2024, bringing a tragic closure to her family’s ordeal.
Millcreek Township Police expressed gratitude toward all parties involved in the investigation. They acknowledged the Erie County Coroner’s Office, along with Dr. Todd Luckasevic, Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, Dr. Joe Adserias-Garriga, and the Mercyhurst University Department of Applied Forensic Sciences, for their invaluable assistance. Additionally, the department recognized the collaborative efforts of Erie Police Department Detective Sergeant Craig Stoker and Olean Police Department Detective Sergeant Tim Cashimere. The police highlighted that this cooperation was instrumental in providing closure to Hakes’ family, stressing the importance of teamwork in resolving such sensitive cases.
This case serves as a poignant reminder of the advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy, which continue to transform the landscape of criminal investigations and missing persons cases.
