More than four decades ago, a teenager named Andrew Bennett stumbled upon a grim discovery that would remain shrouded in mystery for years in the heart of the Kangaroo Island bush. As he and a friend ventured away from their local tennis courts, they stumbled upon the skeletal remains of a man mere meters from a main road. Little did they know that this discovery would kickstart a journey toward unveiling one of Australia’s most intriguing cold cases.
Fast forward to 2021, and the case fell into the hands of Senior Constable Trevor Schneider as part of Operation Persevere—a comprehensive review of long-term missing persons and unidentified remains cases. Despite rumors circulating on Kangaroo Island, the man’s identity remained a mystery, leaving investigators with a challenging puzzle.
Embracing Innovation in Law Enforcement
In their quest to unravel the enigma, the police turned to cutting-edge techniques, including Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). FIGG involves uploading a detailed DNA profile to private genealogy DNA databases, seeking potential matches among the public. It gained fame in the United States with the Golden State Killer case resolution in 2018 and played a pivotal role in solving South Australia’s Somerton Man mystery.
As the Kangaroo Island case resurfaced, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched its national DNA program in a commitment to tackle the backlog of cold cases across the country. This program developed a suite of advanced testing capabilities, including FIGG, marking an Australian first in law enforcement.
Associate Professor Jodie Ward, the program’s lead, emphasized their meticulous approach: “The strategy we went with was that we could try and exhaust all of our standard forensic techniques and searches of law enforcement databases before considering something like forensic investigative genealogy.”
From DNA to Ancestral Connections
To embark on their journey of discovery, the investigators first extracted a DNA sample from a femur. Despite extensive efforts, the initial search in the national DNA database failed to yield any matches. Undeterred, they determined the deceased’s hair and eye color, even developing a composite of his facial features.
The pivotal moment came when they uploaded the specialized DNA profile to GEDmatch, revealing two high-confidence genetic matches—an incredible breakthrough. These matches allowed the team’s genetic genealogist to trace the lineage back to a common ancestral couple from the early 1800s, significantly narrowing the list of potential names across multiple generations.
Their hypothesis led them to believe that the unknown individual was likely a grandson of this couple. However, there was still a significant challenge ahead: the couple had an astonishing 40 grandchildren, necessitating a meticulous process of elimination based on age, sex, and the degree of genetic match.
The Hardie Family: A Break in the Case
After careful scrutiny, the investigation began to converge on the Hardie family—a couple with ten children residing in New South Wales. The turning point arrived when Schneider located a living brother, James. During their conversation, James revealed a startling detail—his brother, William Henry Hardie, had mysteriously disappeared in the 1970s.
For the Hardie family, this revelation was monumental. “It’s given dad closure now that he can finally lay his brother to rest,” shared William’s niece, Lisa, who described her father as initially being in a state of shock.
Reflecting on the unexpected turn of events, James marveled at the fact that a family tree DNA test had unearthed news about his long-lost brother after 47 years. In a curious twist of fate, James had previously undertaken a private DNA test but had uploaded it to a platform inaccessible to law enforcement.
The Power and Privacy of DNA Data
The success story of William Henry Hardie and others like him hinges on the availability of genetic data. Private DNA testing companies, including AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage, hold the genetic information of millions of individuals. However, these companies operate under various terms and conditions, often with complex opt-in/opt-out settings for law enforcement access.
The use of FIGG has experienced significant growth in the United States, with early indications suggesting a similar trend in Australia. William’s case marked the first successful identification in Australia using this groundbreaking technique, opening the door to resolving more decades-old mysteries. Just days after William’s identification, Ward’s team helped Queensland police identify Tanya Lee Glover, underscoring the technology’s vast potential.
Ongoing Quest for Answers
Yet, the journey is far from over. Investigations continue, with several other cases on the cusp of being solved. The Kybong case, which began with discovering a tooth attached to a bottom jaw, presents challenges and opportunities. Despite initial difficulties in identifying the remains, the AFP’s DNA testing uncovered valuable insights—the remains belonged to an adult male of Asian descent.
While this discovery offered a new direction in the case, it also highlighted the inherent limitations of genetic genealogy. The databases, primarily populated with results from individuals of Anglo or European heritage, posed a challenge in finding a match.
Nevertheless, investigators remain resolute. They hold hope that more individuals will choose to share their DNA data with law enforcement in the future or migrate their data to accessible databases. This collective effort may unlock answers to more cases like Kybong and Kangaroo Island.
Balancing Ethical Concerns
This groundbreaking technology has gained traction and raised ethical concerns worldwide. Proper regulatory frameworks are essential to navigate the complexities of using genetic data in law enforcement. Privacy experts emphasize the need for a balanced approach.
The journey from mystery to resolution in the Kangaroo Island case underscores the immense potential of FIGG. The AFP team’s relentless commitment and dedication to upholding privacy and ethical standards paved the way for transformative outcomes.
The results have been nothing short of life-changing for James Hardie and his family. Witnessing the power of FIGG in their case, they encourage others to consider opting into law enforcement access when uploading DNA results to private databases. It is their hope that the composite image of William, along with his identification, will encourage someone to step forward with more information, shedding light on the unanswered questions surrounding his journey to Kangaroo Island and his untimely demise.
