The body found floating near Belle Isle in 2008 finally has a name. After 17 years as a John Doe case file, forensic genealogy has identified the remains as Michael Kendrick, a 32-year-old Windsor resident who disappeared after visiting Detroit for a concert.
“This case haunted me for years,” admits Detective Sergeant Maria Vasquez, who inherited the investigation in 2015. “We had a face, fingerprints, and dental records, but no matches in any database.”
The breakthrough came through investigative genetic genealogy—a technique that didn’t exist when Kendrick’s body was recovered from the Detroit River. Canadian and American authorities collaborated across jurisdictions, piecing together fragmented DNA samples preserved from the original autopsy.
I reviewed the case files at the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office last week. The preservation of biological evidence proved crucial, as technological limitations in 2008 meant DNA analysis couldn’t yield the answers investigators needed then.
“The degradation from water exposure made traditional testing nearly impossible,” explains Dr. Amelia Cheng, forensic pathologist at Ontario’s Centre of Forensic Sciences. “But advances in extracting and analyzing fragmented DNA have revolutionized how we approach these cases.”
The identification involved a complex cross-border investigation between Michigan State Police and Windsor Police Service. Genetic material from the remains was processed through specialized labs that can analyze highly degraded DNA, then compared against commercial genetic databases where distant relatives had voluntarily uploaded their profiles.
Windsor Police Inspector James Kerr described the methodical process: “We built family trees backward and forward in time until potential matches emerged. Then we approached living relatives for reference samples.” This genetic detective work ultimately led to Kendrick’s sister, who had never stopped searching for her brother.
The technique has raised privacy questions among civil liberties groups. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has advocated for clearer regulations around forensic genealogy databases. “While solving cold cases brings closure to families, we need transparent frameworks governing how genetic information is used by law enforcement,” notes privacy lawyer Eleanor Thompson.
Court documents obtained through freedom of information requests reveal that investigators initially pursued several false leads. A partial fingerprint match in 2010 pointed to a Manitoba man who was later confirmed alive. In 2017, authorities believed the body belonged to a missing Ohio tourist, only to be disproven through traditional DNA comparison with family members.
The case highlights the evolving landscape of transnational investigations. The Detroit River creates unique jurisdictional challenges, with the international boundary running directly through the waterway. Determining where a crime occurred can determine which country’s legal system takes precedence.
“Bodies discovered in boundary waters require exceptional cooperation,” notes former prosecutor Vincent Martinez, who specializes in cross-border criminal law. “We’re seeing more agencies developing protocols specifically for these scenarios.”
Medical examiner records indicate Kendrick likely died from blunt force trauma before entering the water. Investigators are now treating the case as a homicide, though they remain cautious about whether they’ll ever identify a perpetrator.
For Sarah Kendrick, the victim’s sister, the identification brings mixed emotions. “I’ve lived 17 years wondering if Michael might walk through my door someday,” she told me during a phone interview. “Now I have answers, but they’ve opened new wounds and new questions.”
The identification comes amid growing success with genetic genealogy in solving cold cases. The technique first gained prominence in 2018 when it identified California’s Golden State Killer. Since then, hundreds of cold cases have been resolved through similar methods.
According to the DNA Doe Project, a non-profit organization that assists law enforcement with identifying unknown remains, more than 70 unidentified persons cases have been solved through investigative genetic genealogy since 2020.
The application of this technology raises important questions about genetic privacy. When individuals submit DNA to ancestry companies, few consider that their genetic information might later help identify a distant relative’s remains—or implicate family members in crimes.
“Most people don’t fully understand how their genetic information might be used,” explains Dr. Jeanette Kowalik, bioethics researcher at McGill University. “There’s a complex web of consent that extends beyond the individual to their entire biological family.”
Legislation governing genetic privacy varies dramatically between the U.S. and Canada. While some American states have enacted specific protections, Canadian privacy laws are still catching up to the technology.
For the detectives who worked the case for years, the resolution brings professional satisfaction. “This is why we never close these files,” Detective Vasquez says. “Sometimes you just need time for technology to catch up with the evidence.”
The investigation into Kendrick’s death continues. Anyone with information about his activities in Detroit during October 2008 is encouraged to contact the cross-jurisdictional task force established to pursue the case.
As DNA technology continues advancing, experts predict many more cold cases will find resolution. For families of missing persons on both sides of the border, these developments offer new hope that answers may finally be within reach.
