Human remains recovered in 2004 ID’d with new DNA analysis as Darryl Bruce Fawcett, missing since 1999
- Mark Sabbatini
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Fawcett, a Juneau resident living on the streets, was found by a diver five years later in deep water by Merchants Wharf
A Juneau man last seen here living on the streets in September of 1999, and whose previously unidentified remains were found in deep water near a downtown pier in 2004, was identified Thursday using a new type of DNA analysis, according to local and state officials.
Darryl Bruce Fawcett, who was 28 at the time of his disappearance, was officially reported missing in December of 1999, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Juneau Police Department.
"At the time of the original report, Mr. Fawcett was described as experiencing homelessness and had not been in contact with his family since September of that year," the release states. "Family members became concerned after checks mailed to him were returned uncashed. There were also reports that Darryl may have traveled to Yakutat, Alaska, in late 1999 or early 2000. The Yakutat Police Department confirmed he had briefly been in the area but had not been seen since his departure."
The state’s missing persons Fawcett database describes Fawcett as an Alaska Native, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 170 pounds, and with scars on his neck, left finger, right hand and abdomen. The database states he also used the alias of Darryl Sheakley.
Another missing persons website, The Charley Project, published three updates between 2004 and 2022, with the site currently reporting "He may have been sighted in Yakutat, Alaska in September 2009, ten years after he disappeared, but this is unconfirmed."
However, human remains had been discovered by a diver 83 feet below the surface of Gastineau Channel near Merchants Wharf, according to the JPD release.
"The remains were recovered and submitted to the State Medical Examiner’s Office but could not be identified with the technology available at that time," the release notes.
A new DNA analysis method implemented as of July 21 of this year by the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory is "capable of extracting profiles from bones and teeth, significantly advancing efforts to identify long-unidentified remains," according to JPD.
"Utilizing this new technology, the Department of Public Safety confirmed on July 31, 2025, that the remains recovered in 2004 were those of Darryl Fawcett," the release states, adding Alaska State Troopers have identified his next of kin.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
