In a resolution that has been decades in the making, the Metro Nashville Police Department has finally identified a human skull found over 35 years ago. The grisly discovery was made by a dog in Nashville, and the skull has now been linked to Philip Daniel Sydnor, who had been missing since the time of the finding. FOX 17 reported that Sydnor was 40 years old at the time the skull was discovered.
It all began on January 14, 1991, when a resident on Barksdale Lane was shocked to find that their dog had returned home with a human skull. Despite the discovery, no other remains were found at that time. Sydnor, born on June 21, 1950, was known to have lived an itinerant lifestyle. The cause and manner of his death remain a mystery, with officials requesting that anyone with information contact MNPD’s Cold Case Unit. WKRN adds that this identification comes thanks to the combination of genome sequencing and forensic genetic genealogy facilitated by Othram Laboratories – a process begun in January 2023.
The Othram lab, specializing in partnering with law enforcement to tackle challenging DNA cases, employed advanced technology that ultimately led to this breakthrough. According to a statement obtained by WSMV, Othram's work specializes in breaking "through previously impenetrable forensic DNA barriers" to close cases that had been cold for years, if not decades. This recent identification evidences the power of science to provide closure in situations where hope seems lost.
As Metro Nashville Police continue to investigate the circumstances of Sydnor's death, they have made a public appeal for more information. Detective Andrew Davis from the MNPD's Cold Case Unit is leading the request for insights into Sydnor, a man whose life took an unknown turn resulting in this long-unsolved mystery. Those with any information are urged to make contact, with the prospect that someone out there may hold the key to finally understanding what befell Philip Daniel Sydnor.
