Human Skull Found Near Port of Wilmington Identified

Wilmington man had been missing since 2007

WILMINGTON - The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner says the human skull found January 4, 2011 in Wilmington has been positively identified as Gary R. Mayo (born April 29, 1963) of Wilmington, DE.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF MISSING PERSON

Gary Mayo reportedly fell off a 20' boat into the Christina River on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2007. There were several unsuccessful attempts to rescue him before he submerged into the river and extensive searches were unsuccessful. The investigation conducted by Delaware State Police.

DISCOVERY CONTEXT

On January 4, 2011, human Remains were exposed on muddy tidal flats and recovered by a boater along the shoreline of the Delaware River about 300 yards south of the Port of Wilmington. An investigation was conducted by:

• Wilmington Department of Police
• Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
• Delaware State Police

FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION

The nearly complete male cranium (lacking a lower jawbone) was in very good condition despite undergoing some erosion due to water action (tides, waves, currents).

Remains were examined by:

• Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner staff
• Forensic Odontologist Dr. Richard Scanlon of Lewiston, PA
• Forensic Radiologist Dr. Gil Brogdon of Mobile AL
• Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Marcella H. Sorg of Oreno, Maine

Based on macroscopic and osteometric anthropological assessment, radiological comparison to CT scans (anti-mortem CT Scans provided by Papastavros Associates Medical Imaging and Forensic dentistry (anti-mortem dental records provide courtesy of Dr. Richard Jacobs DDS, of Claymont, DE), positive identification was established as Gary R. Mayo

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.