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Decades-Old Remains Identified as Vietnam Veteran Thomas Aquinas Cooney

Partial skeletal remains found along Highway 33 in Ojai, California, in February 1981 have been identified as Thomas Aquinas Cooney, a Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star recipient. Advances in DNA analysis and genetic genealogy—carried out in partnership with Redgrave Research Forensic Services—linked the remains to a sibling group that had long searched for a missing brother. The cause of death remains undetermined; authorities continue to seek information.

05:05 AM, 11/27/2025Society
Decades-Old Remains Identified as Vietnam Veteran Thomas Aquinas Cooney

Partial skeletal remains found along Highway 33 near mile marker 43.50 in Ojai, California, in February 1981 have been positively identified through DNA and genetic genealogy as Thomas Aquinas Cooney, a Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star recipient, officials announced.

Hikers discovered the remains in 1981 and investigators recovered a green army-style jacket and two pairs of glasses at the scene. Forensic examiners at the time determined the remains belonged to a White man likely in his late 20s to 30s, but the cause of death could not be established.

Evidence from the case was submitted to the Department of Justice in 2004, but a usable DNA profile was only partial and therefore was not entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The case remained listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) while investigators awaited new technology to help identify the John Doe.

In August of this year, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Redgrave Research Forensic Services to apply genetic genealogy to the case. Redgrave’s analysis indicated the unidentified man’s ancestry was European, with genetic cousins tracing to Slovak roots. Two months later the company located a probable sibling group and, after obtaining consent, compared the family members’ DNA to the remains.

The comparison produced a match: the remains belong to Thomas Aquinas Cooney, who was born Oct. 5, 1950, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Family members told investigators they had conducted an extensive search for a missing brother and had previously hired a private investigator but were unable to determine his fate.

“We are honored to assist in giving Tom his name back,” said Dr. Anthony Redgrave of Redgrave Research Forensic Services. “Our team extends our deep condolences to his family and friends, and we hope that having an answer as to what happened to him brings them some peace, even if it’s not the answer anyone ever wants.”

“Thomas Aquinas Cooney can finally rest with his name restored. My heart goes out to his family, who searched for so long. Thank you to everyone who worked to bring him home,” said Araseli Acevedo, an investigator with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials did not announce a cause of death following the identification. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about Cooney’s whereabouts before the discovery of the remains to contact the department at 805-383-8739 or via email at coldcase@venturacounty.gov.

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Decades-Old Remains Identified as Vietnam Veteran Thomas Aquinas Cooney - CRBC News