On June 12, 2021, a couple walking on the scenic trail in the Canal Point Recreation Area along the eastern shoreline of Lake Okeechobee in Palm Beach County, Florida discovered skeletal remains. Detectives with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) Violent Crimes Division responded to investigate and the Palm Beach County Office of the Medical Examiner responded to collect the unidentified human remains. There were no investigative leads indicating the cause or manner of this person’s death.

In 2025, a partnership with Othram: a private laboratory dedicated to breaking through impenetrable forensic DNA barriers and close previously unsolvable cases began an effort to identify the person. In a short period of time, Othram provided PBSO Cold Case Unit detectives with investigative leads derived from genealogy research. In September 2025, PBSO Cold Case Unit detectives then travelled domestically to follow-up on these investigative leads and collect additional samples from likely relatives of the decedent.

On October 27, 2025, the decedent was identified as William Wolfgang McKinnis, of Boston, Massachusetts. McKinnis was a veteran of the United States Military. The identification was a direct result of the collaboration between PBSO Senior Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogist Stacey Baker, Othram, the Palm Beach County Office of the Medical Examiner, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit detectives.

Prior to his death, William McKinnis originally from Boston Massachusetts, lived somewhat of a transient lifestyle and was estranged from family members. Records indicate McKinnis travelled between Cocoa, Florida and Hollywood, Florida in the summer of 2019.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from anyone who may have known or encountered McKinnis from 2019 – 2021 and has information as to what may have caused his death.

PBSO urges anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at ** TIPS, 1-800-458-TIPS or remain ANONYMOUS by downloading our new app “PBSO” for your Apple or Android Smart Phone and using the “See Something” feature. Downloaded from www.pbsoapp.com.