Remains Discovered In 2009 Identified

Human remains discovered in May 2009 near Goodland in southeast Collier County have been identified as those of a Miami area man.

The University of North Texas Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics notified the Collier County Sheriff’s Office this week that the remains were a DNA match to a Roman Reese, date of birth March 14, 1962. CCSO then obtained Reese’s fingerprints from the Miami-Dade Police Department and made a positive match to the fingerprints obtained from the remains in 2009.

Fishermen discovered the remains May 30, 2009, in mangroves near State Road 92 about six miles south of U.S. 41. Fingerprints and DNA samples were entered into multiple state and national databases including the University of North Texas at the outset of the investigation. Over the nearly four years since that time, detectives have followed up on multiple tips and potential matches without success.

Reese had not been in contact with his family in several years and had never been reported missing.

The cause and manner of Reese’s death remain classified as undetermined at this time and the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239.252.9300, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.780.8477.