After 3 Painful Decades A Michigan Family Now Has Some Closure

The remains of William Herman Hietamak, a Michigan man missing for nearly three decades, have been identified following a long and complex investigation.

Hietamak, who was last seen in 1995, was discovered near the Hoover Dam in Arizona, where construction crews found bones and personal items in November 2009.

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Despite extensive efforts, the remains remained unidentified for years until recent advancements in forensic genetic genealogy provided new leads.

In April 2024, funding was secured to utilize forensic genetic techniques on the remains, which ultimately traced Hietamak's ancestry back to Michigan

Investigators learned that Hietamak had a brother who had not seen him since he traveled to visit family in New Mexico nearly 30 years ago.

This connection led to DNA testing that confirmed the identity of the remains as belonging to Hietamak, who was born on April 4, 1950.

Hietamak's life was marked by a nomadic lifestyle; after graduating from high school in Trout Creek, Michigan, he traveled extensively and was known to hitchhike across the country.

He had previously lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, but his whereabouts became uncertain after his last visit with family.

While the identification brings closure to Hietamak's family, questions remain regarding the circumstances of his death.

The Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office has indicated that due to the condition of the remains, they could not determine a definitive cause of death.

It is estimated that he passed away between 2006 and 2008.

Hietamak had a history of epileptic seizures, which may have played a role in his death.