MEQUON, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in southeastern Wisconsin have identified the remains of a child found in 1959 in a Wisconsin culvert, closing a 65-year-old unsolved case with the help of genetic genealogy .

The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office announced that the remains belong to Chester A. Breiney, a seven-year-old whose life ended “traumatically at the hands of his adoptive parents.” The discovery follows extensive investigative efforts involving DNA analysis and family history research.

Unsolved Wisconsin homicide case, 50-year-old, resolves with arrest thanks to genetic genealogy investigation

Chester’s remains were found on October 4, 1959, in Mequon. At the time, investigators had few clues beyond skeletal remains, initially estimating the child’s age between six and eight years old.

Over the years, leads have surfaced in Wisconsin and Michigan, particularly around a missing child named Markku Jutila. Police interviewed Markku’s adoptive parents, William and Hilja Jutila, who admitted to leaving their adopted son’s body on the side of the road near Mequon after he died.

However, in 1966, charges against the Jutilas were dropped due to a lack of conclusive evidence linking the remains to Markku, leaving the case unsolved.

In recent years, renewed efforts have led to a breakthrough. Special Agent Neil McGrath, Detective Scott Heller and forensic analysts from the Wisconsin Department of Justice used modern DNA extraction and genealogy techniques, partnering with laboratories and genealogists to match the remains to Chester Breiney, formerly known as Markku Jutila.

Further investigation revealed a history of neglect and malnutrition in Chester’s skeletal analysis. His adoptive parents, both of whom died in 1988, can no longer be prosecuted.

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In a statement, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office expressed hope that Chester Breiney can now rest in peace, saying, “No child should leave this Earth like Chester did.” »

The office recognized the teamwork of all parties involved in the investigation over the decades, noting that without such collaboration, justice for Chester may never have been served.

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