Sophisticated DNA Tech Was Able To Help ID Man In Fire Island Cold Case, Suffolk DA Says

FIRE ISLAND, NY — A vintage photograph of Omelios Steward was part of some of the only memories of him that his family cherished for 36 years.

When he disappeared in 1990, he was 28 years old and living in Brooklyn.

Unbeknownst to his family, his body was found floating in the Atlantic Ocean, about nine miles off the coast of Fire Island, and considering the circumstances, it is believed that he was the victim of drowning, DA Ray Tierney told audience members at Suffolk Police Academy in Brentwood on Thursday.

Sophisticated DNA technology that has been used by Tierney's Cold Case Task Force in recent years helped lead investigators to uncover his identity.

Steward's case was highlighted along with five other previously unidentified people who had been nameless — some for up to five decades, and their identities were also released for the first time.

The oldest case dates back to 1976 with a man referred to as "Raymond Doe."

This story will be updated. Check back later.