“The work conducted by California DOJ criminalists to assist in solving cold cases is helping provide identities, answers, and progress toward the resolution or closure of investigations. We applaud their dedicated daily work in forensic laboratories throughout California.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
PLACER COUNTY – On August 27, 2026, the Placer County Cold Case Investigations team announced it has identified the remains of a man found in 1994 in Nyack as George Krusely who was born April 30, 1929.
On July 7, 1994, a partial human skull was found by loggers near a campsite at Putt Lake. At the time, detectives estimated the campsite had been there for quite some time, potentially upwards of a year. Several items were collected and stored in evidence, including the remains. Due to the limited evidence, a cause of death was never determined.
Krusely was last known to be in California in 1963. It’s unclear how long he had been deceased when his remains were located.
Through extensive DNA testing of the remains by the California Department of Justice and Othram Inc., a DNA profile was developed. That information was then submitted to Ramapo College for Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Staff and students at Ramapo worked tirelessly to trace the genetic information and identify a living descendant of Krusely.
The Lordstown Police Department in Ohio assisted investigators in obtaining a DNA sample from Krusely’s descendant. The sample matched the DNA profile developed from the remains, allowing investigators to confirm that the remains belonged to George Krusely.
“I applaud everyone involved in this case for seeing an opportunity to bring a family answers,” said Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo. “No matter how many years pass, everyone deserves answers. The Placer County Cold Case Unit is proving that advances in technology can make a remarkable difference in solving cases that have gone cold. While answers can’t bring back a loved one, we hope this identification provides some peace and brings an end to the uncertainty that has lasted for decades.”
