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A devoted fan of true crime, who previously spent her weekends poring over police records and discussing theories on online forums, generously funded private DNA testing that helped solve a 40-year-old cold case.
Jeanne Ayotte, after donating around $7,000 to support the investigation, recently received news that the remains of Francis Patrick Fitzpatrick were finally identified in August. Fitzpatrick, who went missing in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1983, was a 43-year-old man whose fate remained unknown to his loved ones. Thanks to Ayotte’s contribution to a private DNA laboratory known for its advanced technology and forensic genetic genealogy expertise, Fitzpatrick’s son was able to bring his father home. The investigation ultimately closed a longstanding cold case that had been under review by the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which determined that the unidentified man had died by suicide.
Jean Ayotte attended CrimeCon in Las Vegas in 2022.
Ayotte, a real estate paralegal, stated in an interview with HuffPost, “Regardless of the circumstances, whether they are murder victims, unfortunate suicides, or individuals who have tragically perished due to exposure — whoever they may be, they are human beings… and they deserve to have their identities restored to them.” Ayotte, who has a profound interest in forensics, considered herself fortunate when she won an auction at CrimeCon, an annual true crime convention, for a “real-life private CSI tour” at Othram, a forensic DNA sequencing laboratory that specializes in serving law enforcement agencies. This win also included an opportunity to dine with Othram’s CEO and co-founder, David Mittelman. Ayotte paid approximately $3,000 for this extraordinary experience.
During her visit to Othram, Ayotte spent an entire day touring the laboratory, meeting scientists, and conversing with a genetic genealogist. These encounters with the passionate founders left Ayotte deeply inspired, prompting her to make an unusual offer to Kristen Mittelman, Othram’s chief business development officer and David Mittelman’s wife. Ayotte proposed, “I’d love to fund a case if you’re interested in that.” To her surprise, the Mittelmans enthusiastically accepted Ayotte’s generous offer. Othram, which collaborates exclusively with law enforcement agencies and relies on funding from a variety of sources including private donors like Ayotte, received skeletal remains from the Connecticut medical examiner’s office. These remains belonged to a man who had gone unidentified for an extensive period until now. The body was discovered in the marshlands near the Connecticut River. Othram’s scientists successfully extracted DNA from the skeletal remains and generated an extensive profile based on hundreds of thousands of data points. David Mittelman stated in an interview with HuffPost that this approach represents a significant advancement over the current 20 DNA markers used by CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the software that creates DNA profiles from convicted offenders in various databases.
The cost of Othram’s process can range between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the condition of the remains and the level of genealogical research required. Those who wish to assist in funding Othram’s work can contribute money through DNASolves, an Othram website that Mittelman likens to Kickstarter. “We’re essentially crowdfunding among individuals who have a genuine interest in this area,” he explained. “People contribute whatever amounts they can, even if it’s just a few dollars here and there, and before you know it, a case is solved.” Othram previously played a pivotal role in the identification of Karen Vergata, known as Fire Island Jane Doe, one of eleven bodies found on or near Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York. Vergata’s remains, discovered in 1996, were only identified after Rex Heuermann’s arrest on charges related to the killings of three other women found at Gilgo Beach. Heuermann is also considered a suspect in another murder, and authorities are investigating potential links to the remaining Gilgo Beach cases. Mittelman confirmed that Othram is actively working on identifying the other individuals found in close proximity.
While larger law enforcement agencies like the Gilgo Beach task force have ample resources at their disposal and do not require private funding, Mittelman highlighted the fact that smaller agencies, particularly those in remote or rural areas, may lack robust laboratory facilities or may not even possess a crime lab. He emphasized Othram’s commitment to democratizing access to advanced DNA technology for all law enforcement agencies. Despite the remarkable progress made in DNA technology, the comprehensive identification of remains and suspects in other crimes such as sexual assaults hinges on the existence of a comprehensive database. CODIS, the national DNA database maintained by the FBI, enables the linkage of DNA collected at crime scenes to other cases or to individuals who have already been convicted or arrested for specific crimes. However, laboratories like Othram advocate for private DNA collection, which allows them to test DNA from victims and individuals who may not be included in CODIS.
Othram charges around $15 for a DNA swab kit, or individuals can upload their genetic testing results from companies like Ancestry and 23andMe. For those who may hesitate to contribute DNA samples due to privacy concerns or fears of misuse, Mittelman assured that the data collected by Othram is solely used by law enforcement agencies to aid in human identification and the resolution of cold cases. The sharing of information between DNA testing companies and law enforcement has been a topic of debate among Americans, leading lawmakers across the U.S. to establish regulations that both restrict and expand the use of genetic genealogy by the police. According to the Department of Justice policy, DNA from unsolved violent crimes should only be tested against private databases in instances where CODIS has yielded no leads. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies should never retain personal genetic information obtained during investigations.
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, an online database of missing persons records and unidentified remains, there are currently more than 23,000 open missing persons cases and nearly 30,000 unidentified or unclaimed remains in the U.S. This backlog of cases has been referred to as a “silent mass disaster” by the National Institute of Justice, a research agency within the DOJ.
Mittelman expressed his deep concern for these cases, stating, “This is something that weighs heavily on my mind… I believe that when a crime like this remains unresolved, it generates a significant ripple effect of harm. Obviously, it impacts the victim, their family, and friends, but it also affects society as a whole. The investigators who arrive on the scene experience trauma and can become fixated on the case, passing it on to the next generation of detectives.” He added, “Not only are they awaiting answers, but families may not always be around to receive them. It would be the ultimate tragedy to solve a case only to find that the family is no longer alive to know the truth.”
Ayotte revealed that a terrifying experience she had in the past made her acutely aware of how easily families can lose a loved one. One night, she found herself in a situation where she hitched a ride with a stranger who refused to stop when she asked him to and drove past her intended destination. Disturbingly, Ayotte realized that there was no door handle on her side of the stranger’s truck. Eventually, he turned around and dropped her off, but she always remembered what could have happened. She reflected, “Had that man intended to harm me, I could have been just another unidentified individual, with others trying to determine my identity or solve my murder at Othram. It’s something that has always stayed with me, reminding me of how lucky and fortunate I am. It motivated me to consider what I can do to prevent these incidents or, in the unfortunate event that one occurs, ensure that families can have their loved ones back.” Since her visit to Othram, Ayotte has donated approximately $25,000 to the company. She views this philanthropy as a means of supporting crucial crime-solving and the identification of missing persons, recognizing that the necessary resources are often insufficient. Ayotte remarked, “… the resources needed to solve crimes and identify the missing and lost are lacking. I see it as my contribution to a charitable cause.”
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