EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – On Tuesday, the El Paso County Coroner announced it had identified the remains of a man found in 1986 as belonging to Peter Joseph Paskovich Jr.
Those skeletal remains were discovered on a ranch west of I-25 in November of that year. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office searched the area and found remnants of clothing and a belt, determining he had been shot in the head.
To identify the body, a forensic artist created a facial reconstruction, which law enforcement distributed publicly in the hope that someone would recognize him. His DNA profile was also uploaded into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Still, his identity remained unknown for nearly forty years. Detectives with the Cold Case Unit contacted the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey for help.
Using a DNA profile from Paskovich’s teeth, the team identified potential relatives and constructed a family tree from publicly accessible genealogical databases. Detectives obtained DNA samples from those suspected relatives and developed a likely identity of the remains.
In April of this year, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed a DNA match.
Paskovich had ties to Colorado Springs and was confirmed to be in the area in October 1985. The circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear.
“For nearly 40 years, our family lived with unanswered questions and an unimaginable sense of loss,” stated Richard Paskovich, the victim’s brother. “While nothing can bring Pete back, we are deeply grateful to everyone who refused to give up on him. Having our brother’s identity restored brings us a measure of peace.”
If you knew Peter Paskovich, contact the Sheriff’s Office tipline at 719-520-7777 or Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers online.
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