Human remains found near a Lacey elementary school in 2009 have been identified as Donald Myrel Nelson, a Thurston County man who disappeared in 1989.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identification this week, bringing partial closure to a missing person case that stretched across three decades.
Nelson was reported missing in February 1989, just weeks before his 29th birthday. His skeletal remains were discovered on April 30, 2009, in a field near Meadows Elementary School.
At the time, investigators documented Levi’s jeans, boxer shorts, and white Nike socks on the body, but traditional forensic methods failed to confirm his identity.
The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System in 2011 and remained unsolved until new technology became available.
This year, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to submit the remains to Othram, a Texas-based forensic sequencing lab.
Using advanced DNA sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy, Othram built a profile that ultimately led investigators to Nelson’s family. Law enforcement later confirmed the remains belonged to Nelson, who was born in 1960.
“Critical funding to enable forensic genetic genealogy testing in this case was made possible by Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and the Washington State Legislature,” Othram said in a press release. “We are so grateful for their support in providing this funding.”
The cause of Nelson’s death has not yet been determined, and the sheriff’s office said its cold case unit continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to email TCSOColdCase@co.thurston.wa.us and reference case number 09-002677.
