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LOOK AT THE TIMELINE OF IT ALL IN THE FULL FORECAST AHEAD. TO BREAKING NEWS NOW, NEARLY 40 YEARS AFTER A SKULL WAS FOUND IN THE WOODS IN BRISTOL, INVESTIGATORS HAVE MADE AN IDENTIFICATION. THE DNA DOE PROJECT SAYS THE REMAINS BELONG TO WARREN KACZYNSKI, A LOCAL MAN WHO WAS LAST SEEN IN THE MID 1970S. THE SKULL WAS DISCOVERED IN 1986. MORE THAN 40 VOLUNTEERS USED GENETIC GENEALOGY AND DNA MATCHES LAST YEAR, IDENTIFYING KACZYNSKI AS A POSSIBLE MATCH. NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE POLICE LATER CONFIRME
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DNA cracks ‘Cranium Doe’ mystery 40 years after skull found in New Hampshire woods
Investigators say they have finally identified human remains that were found 40 years ago in the woods of New Hampshire.The mystery of “Cranium Doe” began in 1986 when a human skull was located in a wooded area of Bristol. Despite investigators’ efforts using technology available at the time, the person’s identity remained unknown.In 2025, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, assisted by the New Hampshire State Police and the University of New Hampshire Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Lab, partnered with the DNA Doe Project and used genetic genealogy technology to identify the person as Warren Kuchinsky.Kuchinsky was born in 1952, attended school in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and was last known to be alive in the mid-1970s, a decade before his skull was found. Kuchinsky’s identity was confirmed through DNA testing of a surviving family member.”Through the power of investigative genetic genealogy and the dedication of our volunteer genealogists, we were able to develop a critical lead in less than 24 hours,” said DNA Doe Project team leader Lisa Ivany. “We truly hope that this identification brings long-awaited answers to Mr. Kuchinsky’s family.”It’s not clear when Kuchinsky died, but it was estimated that he died two to 10 years before his remains were found. There is no evidence of foul play associated with his death, investigators said.
Investigators say they have finally identified human remains that were found 40 years ago in the woods of New Hampshire.
The mystery of “Cranium Doe” began in 1986 when a human skull was located in a wooded area of Bristol. Despite investigators’ efforts using technology available at the time, the person’s identity remained unknown.
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In 2025, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, assisted by the New Hampshire State Police and the University of New Hampshire Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Lab, partnered with the DNA Doe Project and used genetic genealogy technology to identify the person as Warren Kuchinsky.
Kuchinsky was born in 1952, attended school in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and was last known to be alive in the mid-1970s, a decade before his skull was found.
Kuchinsky’s identity was confirmed through DNA testing of a surviving family member.
“Through the power of investigative genetic genealogy and the dedication of our volunteer genealogists, we were able to develop a critical lead in less than 24 hours,” said DNA Doe Project team leader Lisa Ivany. “We truly hope that this identification brings long-awaited answers to Mr. Kuchinsky’s family.”
It’s not clear when Kuchinsky died, but it was estimated that he died two to 10 years before his remains were found. There is no evidence of foul play associated with his death, investigators said.
