DEBARY, Fla. – Remains found in a wooded area of DeBary in 1997 have now been identified through forensic genetic genealogy, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
Over 20 years ago, 22-year-old Ryan L. Stone went missing, and he was last seen by his family in 1994.
His remains, which were found three years later in a wooded area of DeBary, have now been identified through forensic genetic genealogy, according to an X post from the sheriff’s office.
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The sheriff’s office said in a statement that the cause and manner of Stone’s death are still undetermined, but his family has been notified that he was found. Deputies said there were no signs of foul play.
His body was recovered along Fort Florida Road, 1.4 miles south of Highbanks Road, according to his National Missing and Unidentified Persons System’s profile.
Those who have any information about Stone around the time of his death are asked to call the sheriff’s office’s Major Case Unit at 386-245-1535 or email Detective Teske at dteske@volusiasheriff.gov.
A John Doe whose remains were found in a wooded area of DeBary in 1997 has been ID'd thanks to forensic genetic genealogy testing and research. Ryan L. Stone was 22 years old when last seen by his family in 1994. There were no signs of foul play, but his cause of death is unknown pic.twitter.com/N04xnx5e5r
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) February 13, 2025
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