Kevin Morris: Human remains found in New Jersey identified as 32-year-old man who went missing from Staten Island in 2011

ATLANTIC COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: On Monday, May 13, officials reported the discovery and identification of the skeletal remains of a man from New York City who had been missing since 2011, found in New Jersey.

According to a statement from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, the remains have been confirmed to be those of Kevin Morris, who was 32 years old when he went missing in October 2011.

Major Crimes Unit investigates Kevin Morris' death

Morris was last seen on Staten Island, where he informed his friends about his plan to visit his girlfriend, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, according to Fox Digital.

Authorities stated that Morris had no known medical or mental health issues, leaving investigators uncertain about how he arrived in New Jersey. The remains were discovered in Galloway Township in June 2021.

"The circumstances surrounding his death is currently under investigation by the Major Crimes Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and anyone that may have information regarding his death or disappearance are encouraged to contact law enforcement," the prosecutor's office said.

Authorities did not disclose any autopsy results beyond confirming the identity of Morris when the body was examined in 2021. The cause of Morris's death remains unknown.

Remains found in Mississippi identified as missing US Marine veteran

In a similar incident, Jackson officials have identified a missing US Marine veteran, Gary Lockhart, using DNA technology. The remains were found in an abandoned Mississippi house in March 2023.

The body, known as Hinds County John Doe 2023, was confirmed to be male but could not be identified by DNA. After testing DNA samples from family members, Lockhart was identified as a US Marine veteran born in 1953. 

Gary Lockhart, a US Marine who vanished during the Vietnam War, has been identified by Othram, marking the sixteenth instance of successful identification in Mississippi's history.

The recent identification of Gary Lockhart signifies the sixteenth occasion where authorities have utilized Othram-developed technology to formally identify an individual. This breakthrough mirrors a similar case in California, where the remains of a woman were discovered in a creek three decades ago.

These instances highlight the pivotal role of advanced forensic techniques in unraveling long-standing mysteries and bringing closure to families who have endured years of uncertainty and loss.