🌊 IDENTIFIED AFTER 24 YEARS: Jeffrey Lyndon Hulliger's Tragic Disappearance
John Doe Identified after 24 years
🌊 IDENTIFIED AFTER 24 YEARS: Jeffrey Lyndon Hulliger's Tragic Disappearance Finally Solved 🕊️
For nearly a quarter-century, the waters of Monterey Bay held a heartbreaking secret. In January 1997, two fishermen vanished in a storm—leaving behind only debris, questions, and aching hearts. Now, thanks to forensic genealogy and the efforts of Monterey County authorities and Othram Inc., one of those men finally has his name back: Jeffrey Lyndon Hulliger. 💔
🚨 The Disappearance
On a stormy day in January 1997, 36-year-old Jeffrey Hulliger and his friend, Greg Mitchell, set out aboard a fishing vessel known as The Salmon Patty off the coast of Point Reyes, California. The pair had been pursuing black cod, but the sea quickly turned dangerous. 🌊
With swells reaching 18 feet, a distress signal was sent out—but despite an intensive multi-day search by the Coast Guard using helicopters, cutters, and other assets, the two men and their boat vanished without a trace. Only bits of debris and a tragic silence remained. The case went cold. ❄️
🧬 Discovery of “Sandholdt Doe”
In the months following the disappearance, a body washed ashore near Sandholdt Road in Moss Landing, Monterey County. But without identifying documents or clear forensic leads, he remained unidentified—nicknamed “Sandholdt Doe” by investigators.
Over the years, Sandholdt Doe’s remains became part of the Monterey County Cold Case archive. Though treated with respect, his identity remained a mystery—until 2021, when modern forensic science offered a second chance. 🔬
🧪 Enter Forensic Genealogy
In 2021, the Monterey County Cold Case Taskforce—a collaborative effort between the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, Monterey Police Department, and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services—decided to reopen the case.
That’s when they partnered with Othram, a cutting-edge forensic genomics lab in Texas. With funding from the California State Budget’s Roads to Justice initiative, scientists at Othram used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to extract a DNA profile from the degraded remains. 🧬⚡
From there, Othram’s in-house genealogy team built a family tree using distant relatives. Eventually, a viable lead surfaced. A familial reference sample was obtained from one of Jeffrey’s known relatives—and with Othram’s KinSNP® Rapid Kinship Testing, a match was confirmed.
The Sandholdt Doe had a name.
🧔 Meet Jeffrey Lyndon Hulliger
Jeffrey was born on May 30, 1960. He was a passionate fisherman, dedicated to the sea and his craft. His disappearance was a tragic blow to his loved ones—especially his brother, who had reportedly warned him not to go out that day due to the rough waters. 😞
Sadly, his friend Greg Mitchell is still missing, and no trace of the boat, The Salmon Patty, has ever been recovered.
🕯️ A Family’s Long-Awaited Answer
In a past interview, Jeffrey’s brother shared the pain he carried all these years—haunted by his warnings that were not heeded. Though there may never be full closure, knowing what happened and being able to bring Jeffrey’s remains home has brought peace that was long denied. 🙏
This identification means the Hulliger family finally knows where Jeffrey rests. His story is no longer just one of disappearance—it’s one of resolution and remembrance. 💙
🧠 Science Meets Compassion
This marks the 64th case solved in California with the help of forensic genealogy and Othram’s technologies. These identifications prove the immense power of science, collaboration, and never giving up. 🔍
From forensic sequencing to building genetic family trees, every solved case brings us closer to truth—and further from the silence that so often surrounds the missing and the unidentified. 🔗
📢 You Can Help, Too
Every solved case is a team effort—between scientists, law enforcement, family members, and everyday people who contribute DNA profiles to public databases or support DNA funding.
If you’ve taken a consumer DNA test and want to help reunite families, you can opt-in your profile at DNASolves.com. 🧬
Even small donations help fund forensic testing in cold cases like Jeffrey’s. Every dollar helps restore a name—and give a family answers. 💵
🗓️ Timeline of the Case
May 30, 1960 – Jeffrey Lyndon Hulliger is born.
January 1997 – Disappears at sea with Greg Mitchell off Point Reyes.
1997 – Remains wash ashore in Moss Landing and are labeled “Sandholdt Doe.”
2021 – Case reopened; remains sent to Othram for advanced testing.
2025 – Identification officially confirmed as Jeffrey Hulliger.
🌅 Final Thoughts
The ocean held Jeffrey Hulliger for 24 years. But thanks to persistence, compassion, and technology, his name now echoes once again—on paper, in headlines, and most importantly, in the hearts of those who loved him. ❤️
His story is a reminder of what it means to care about the lost—and to use every available tool to bring them home.
Rest peacefully, Jeffrey. You are no longer unknown.
📌 Do you know of a cold case that needs more attention? Reach out to us at Dustin@TheColdCases.org. We believe no one should be forgotten. 🙌
🧬 Support future identifications like this by visiting DNASolves.com.
✍️ Written by TheColdCases.com Team
🕵️♂️ Dedicated to justice, remembrance, and hope.