PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. (WSIL) -- New Madrid County authorities have identified a man whose remains were found in the Mississippi River in June 2022.
The sheriff's office said the man was identified as Robert Eaton, a 26-year-old from Elizabeth, Indiana, missing since February 2022.
On June 2, 2022, the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a body in the Mississippi River. The remains, identified as a white male between 18 and 29 years old, were sent for autopsy but showed no signs of trauma, according to authorities.
Despite entering the case into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), the sheriff's office said the efforts to identify the body were initially unsuccessful. Investigators then turned to Dr. Jenifer Bengtson and her students at Southeast Missouri State University for help.
Dr. Bengtson's team prioritized samples for advanced DNA testing, which Othram used to create a detailed SNP profile. This led to the discovery of potential relatives through forensic genetic genealogy.
"They completed an updated dental inventory and analysis and entered those data into NamUs," the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office stated in a post. "They also used literature-based and bone chemistry research to prioritize samples for advanced DNA testing. These samples were sent to Othram, where their scientists were able to build a comprehensive SNP profile using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing,® despite significant DNA degradation. While Dr. Bengtson and her students continued to fine tune the decedent’s biological profile, Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team worked to develop new leads in the case, which were returned to investigators."
Investigators found that one relative had posted about a missing loved one matching the description of the unidentified remains. In April 2025, familial DNA testing confirmed the remains were those of Eaton.
Sheriff Joey Higgerson expressed gratitude for the collaboration.
“We are especially grateful to Dr. Bengston and the Anthropology Department at Southeast Missouri State University; because of their tireless efforts, a family who has been searching for their son for the last two years finally has closure," Sheriff Higgerson said. "On Friday May 30th we met with members of Mr. Eaton’s family who traveled to Missouri to retrieve his remains and take them home to the Louisville, KY area. They assured us that they are finally at peace, and they took some comfort in the fact that this case opened the door to new techniques that will change the way we investigate these cases in New Madrid County.�
He also praised Coroner George DeLisle and Deputies Jackie Hays and Brandon Hanner for their dedication.
"From this point forward, with the support of Southeast Missouri State’s Anthropology Department, we will strive to never have unidentified human remains in New Madrid County," Higgerson said.
The investigation into Eaton’s disappearance and death is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department in Indiana.
