Investigators identify decomposed human remains found in Tennessee woods in 2020
08/27/2025 3:08 pm PDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (TCN) -- Using genetic genealogy, investigators recently identified the decomposed remains of a man found in a wooded area in 2020.
In May 2020, the Knoxville Police Department reached out to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center to help investigate a deceased person found near a home. Authorities noted the remains were in an "advanced stage of decomposition."
According to genetic genealogy company Othram Inc., the man, who they believe was between 55 and 70 years old, was found with pieces of clothing, and authorities said his cause and manner of death were undetermined. Officials reportedly compared multiple missing persons reports to find a match, but the case went cold.
The remains were submitted to Othram in 2023. According to the forensic center, earlier this month, Othram scientists developed information suggesting the deceased man had family members in Michigan. Relatives reportedly said they hadn’t seen him in 22 years, and they provided a DNA sample. Further testing helped investigators positively identify the remains as Gerald Forsman’s.
According to Othram, Forsman was originally from Michigan and lived in Knoxville. Investigators haven’t determined when he disappeared.
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