Man whose skull was found by cats in 2000 is positively identified

ORLANDO, Fla. (TCD) -- Using genetic genealogy technology, investigators recently identified a homicide victim whose skull was found near an apartment complex nearly 24 years ago.

According to Detective Scott Lowen with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, on June 21, 2000, deputies responded to the Calibre Bend Apartments after a resident saw two cats playing with a human skull. Anthropologists suspected the person had been dead since around 1992 or 1993.

Lowen said officials found a hole in the skull, suggesting the victim had been shot.

During a search of the area, detectives located additional skeletal remains and clothing that were partially buried in a vacant lot nearby, according to a news release from Othram Labs.

Despite their efforts at the time, investigators were unable to identify the victim, and he became a John Doe. Officials entered details about the investigation into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, and the case went cold.

The sheriff’s office submitted forensic evidence to Othram Labs in August 2022, and they extracted DNA from the remains. Othram used forensic-grade genome sequencing to create a DNA profile and developed investigative leads. They sent their findings to the sheriff's office.

According to Lowen, investigators identified the victim as Paul "Larry" Rougeux Jr. They determined he was approximately 40 years old when he died.

The sheriff’s office has not named a suspect in the case.

MORE:

• Orange County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify 2000 Homicide Victim - Othram Labs
• Larry Rougeux cold case - Orange County Sheriff's Office