Human remains found on a California beach in 2022 have been identified as Walter Karl Kinney, who had been missing since 1999.

The identification was made by the DNA Doe Project using genetic genealogy after investigators uploaded DNA to a database in 2026.

Kinney’s remains were actually discovered in two separate instances—first shortly after his disappearance and again decades later when additional partial remains were found by a family searching for seashells.

His cause of death remains undetermined, and the case is considered closed unless more remains are recovered, USA Today has reported.

The unusual case highlights how modern DNA techniques can resolve long-standing missing persons mysteries.