Putnam County—Putnam County Coroner David Brown, working with Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations and Laboratory Services, as well as Anthropologist Dr. Krista Latham from the University of Indianapolis Human Identification Center, have identified the skeletal remains found in the Van Bibber-Glen Flynt Lake area just after noon on April 26, 2018.
The deceased has been identified as William Wayne Johansen of rural Putnam County. Johansen had been reported missing to the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post on November 15, 2016 and was 50-years-old at the time of his disappearance.
The exact cause of death has not been determined; but based on the skeletal remains, foul play is not suspected. Investigation ongoing.
Following the discovery on April 26, 2018, the remains were taken to the University of Indianapolis for processing and analysis, with a DNA sample sent to the Indiana State Police Laboratory Services in Indianapolis. On June 25, 2018, the ISP Laboratory CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) Unit confirmed the DNA results as positive identification for William Wayne Johansen.
Questions concerning the coroner’s office should be directed to Putnam County Coroner David Brown.
Questions concerning the ISP investigation should be directed to ISP Sergeant Joe Watts.
The lead investigator is ISP Detective Don Curtis. Assisting were ISP Detectives First Sergeant Jason Fajt, Sergeant Sam Stearley, and Detective Mike Taylor, ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sergeant Jim Cody, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and Putnam County Coroner David Brown.
