Remains found in 1988 in Woodbury County identified through DNA

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Authorities say they’ve now identified the remains of a Northeast Iowa man through DNA.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office announced they’ve positively identified the remains of a man now identified as Clarence Ames, originally from Dubuque, Iowa, through forensic genetic genealogy.

According to law enforcement, Othram Laboratories and the FBI identified the only known relative of Ames, his paternal niece, living in Texas. Ames was born on Jan. 27, 1909, and his estimated time of death was placed between 1971 and 1975.

Deputies say the exact manner and cause of Ames’ death may never be determined. But investigators at the time of the body’s discovery in 1988 noted there was nothing found or observed that would suggest foul play.

According to the Woodbury County Sheriff, on Monday, Oct. 12, his niece traveled to Sioux City and met with investigators. Ames’ niece was able to visit the site where he was found and then took his cremated remains back to Dubuque to be laid to rest with his family.

Remains found in 1988

Law enforcement says very little is known of Ames, including how and why he ended up in Woodbury County.

In a press release, the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office says on August 30, 1988, deputies at the time were notified by an Iowa Department of Transportation worker that he discovered skeletal remains about one mile east of Correctionville, Iowa, just off Highway 20.

The sheriff’s office at the time was helped by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the remains were turned over to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office.

“Autopsy analysis revealed the remains belonged to a white male estimated to be 30-60 years of age with an estimated time of death sometime between 1971 - 1975,” said the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.

The cause of death at the time was ruled undetermined, and investigators were unsuccessful in identifying the remains, becoming an Iowa Cold Case.

2025: Investigation continues

Law enforcement says Don Armstrong, who is now a retired captain for the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agent Lynn Oleson from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation once again began to work to identify the remains from 1988.

They were also helped in the investigation by the FBI and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office. Liz Ford, an investigator with the Woodbury County Medical Examiner’s Office, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, and retired Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jim Cunningham also helped in the investigation.

If anyone has information regarding Mr. Ames or knew him in the late 1960s – early 1970s, please contact the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office at 712-279-6010.

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