Tragic 44-year-old mystery solved after jawbone found on Aussie beach

Detectives say the discovery was made possible thanks to the use of upgraded DNA analysis techniques.

Henry Coleman's jawbone in a picture on the left, beside NSW Police officers combing through sand at Umina on the right.
The bone was confirmed to be that of Henry Coleman, who died aged 17, following an accidental drowning on the Central Coast in August 1980. Source: 7News

Australian police have finally cracked the case into who formerly owned a jawbone that mysteriously washed ashore on a popular Aussie beach in mid 2020.

Detectives say after extensive enquiries, and thanks to the use of upgraded "DNA analysis techniques" they were able to determine the jawbone belonged to a teenager who accidentally drowned in 1980 — nearly half a century ago.

The remains, though blackened, were in remarkable condition. The jawbone still contained some teeth when it was found in the sand on Umina Beach, near Sydney Avenue on the NSW Central Coast, in June 2020 by a dog walker.

Henry Coleman's jawbone in a picture on the left, beside NSW Police officers combing through sand at Umina on the right.
Henry Coleman died of an accidental drowning in 1980, but officers didn't know he was missing part of his jaw. Source: ABC/7News

Officers quickly established the remains were human at the time, however, "extensive traditional inquiries" failed to reveal an identity, though it was determined the deceased was male. It wasn't until March 2023 when detectives made a breakthrough using new technology previously unavailable.

ADVERTISEMENT

It combined new DNA analysis techniques and traditional genealogy to identify suspects and unknown remains using commercial DNA databases. Detectives, scientists, and analysts worked together to exclude two other cases and identified a genetic link to a possible living relative, police said.

"A voluntary sample was given from a relative and following further DNA analysis, the bone was confirmed to be that of Henry Coleman, who died aged 17, following an accidental drowning on the Central Coast in August 1980," NSW Police said in a statement on Sunday.

Henry was laid to rest back in the '80s, though it wasn't known at the time that he was missing part of his jaw.

Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim said the case was an example of the importance of public involvement in solving missing persons cases.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This investigation showcases the importance of DNA testing in missing person cases," he told media. "Without the amazing, combined work by our detectives, scientists and analysts, we never would have been able to return these remains to their resting place and find answers for Mr Coleman’s family.

The blackened jawbone is seen being held up by a dog walker, who found it on Umina Beach in 2020.
The bone was found by a dog walking in June 2020. Source: 7News

"This investigation has taken four years and we can’t be happier with the result with the most rewarding part being, giving the news to Mr Coleman’s family.

"Your DNA can not and will not be used in any criminal investigation. Missing person investigations are not criminal matters, and your DNA is not stored in any criminal or suspect data base. Your DNA will only be used to hopefully solve these cases and provide answers to your family.

"If you have reported a family member missing to police, and you have the Event number, I urge you to go to your local police station and provide your DNA if you haven’t done so already. Just like in Mr Coleman’s case, your relationship with the missing person can be several generations apart," he added.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.