A decade-long mystery tied to Hurricane Irma has been resolved after authorities identified human remains discovered in the Florida Keys in 2017.
In a Wednesday, Jan. 21 news release, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the remains belonged to James Donald Schlake, 77, of Key Largo, Florida.
“FDLE’s Key West Field Office and Forensic Services turned over every stone to identify Mr. Schlake,” FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said in a statement. “Our statewide forensic resources and strong partnerships are critical to supporting Florida’s communities and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration helped bring long-awaited answers to Mr. Schlake’s loved ones and to the Florida Keys community.”
The agency said the then-unidentified man was found on Sept. 14, 2017, in a debris pile in Big Pine Key, during search operations in the aftermath of Irma — a Category 5 storm that left nearly 129 people dead and caused an estimated $90 billion in damage.
He was wearing a life jacket, according to Othram, the DNA laboratory that later helped confirm his identity.
“Following an autopsy, the Monroe County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be drowning and ruled the manner of death accidental,” FDLE said.
At the time, investigators believed the victim was an adult male between 45 and 75 years old, around 5’10” and 115 pounds, with gray or partially gray hair and a short beard and mustache, Othram said. Despite an investigation, authorities were unable to determine who he was, and he became known as “Monroe County John Doe.”
In December 2023, a sample was sent to FDLE laboratories for examination, but “no leads” were developed, according to the agency.
A new push came in June 2025, when another sample was submitted to Othram for advanced DNA sequencing and genetic genealogy research. Othram said its scientists produced a DNA extract and built a comprehensive genetic profile of the unidentified man.
With that information, investigators conducted follow-up work that led them to possible relatives. DNA was collected from a family member and compared against the unknown man’s profile.
“This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be James Donald Schlake, born December 17, 1940,” Othram said.
Othram noted the case is the 49th publicly announced investigation in Florida in which officials have used the lab’s services.
“People should know that it doesn’t matter how old a case is, if there is DNA, there is technology here today that works and is able to bring answers to families, like in this case,” Kristen Mittelman, Othram’s chief development officer, said in a statement shared by the FDLE. “This is powerful technology, and cases like this can absolutely be solved.”
