Human remains found in Twin Cities lakes 33 years ago identified

Human remains discovered in two Twin Cities lakes over three decades ago have finally been identified, thanks to advancements in investigative genetic genealogy. Denise Elaine Sexton Hartley, who vanished in 1993 at the age of 27, is the individual whose remains were found. In June 1993, a severed head was found near Bone Lake in Scandia, and a foot was discovered in St. Paul's Pig's Eye Lake the following day. Investigators were unable to identify the remains until 2024, when they employed genetic genealogy. This led them to Hartley, and a DNA sample from her daughter confirmed the identification. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Washington County Sheriff's Office announced the findings. Despite the identification, investigators are still uncertain about the manner and cause of Hartley's death. No arrests have been made in connection with the case. "Cases like this stay with you," said Washington County Sheriff's Detective Clayton Evens. "Even after decades, there's always hope that one day the science will catch up to the questions that couldn't be answered at the time, and it finally did." Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

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Cases like this stay with you. Even after decades, there's always hope that one day the science will catch up to the questions that couldn't be answered at the time, and it finally did.