The skeletal remains of a man dubbed “Chimney Doe” were identified nearly 35 years after he was found in a pipe at a music store in Madison, Wisconsin. The identity of the man, Ronnie Joe Kirk, remains a mystery to the police, but they are hopeful that the identification of the remains will lead to new information. Kirk had connections to Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, and Wisconsin, but it is unclear why he was in Madison or what led to his death. His remains were found in 1989 by the owners of Good ‘n Loud music store, and it was initially believed to be a white male between the ages of 18 and 35.
In 2019, detective Lindsey Ludden referred the case of “Chimney Doe” to the DNA Doe Project, an organization dedicated to using investigative genetic genealogy to identify unknown persons. It took two years to build a genetic profile from DNA extracted from a piece of rootless hair found on the remains, which eventually led investigators to the identity of Ronnie Joe Kirk. Kirk was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1942 and was an adopted child. He had been married twice before his death and fathered children, but authorities did not identify any living relatives. The DNA Doe Project team worked tirelessly to piece together Kirk’s family history, which included multiple generations of different marriages and adoption.
Chief Shon Barnes of the Madison Police Department expressed hope that the identification of Ronnie Joe Kirk would lead to new information about the circumstances surrounding his death. Kirk was found wearing “feminine” clothing, which adds to the mystery surrounding his case. Authorities are hoping that someone will remember Kirk and provide information about his time in Madison or his connections to other states. The police are determined to trace his movements and uncover any clues that may shed light on what happened to him.
Gwen Knapp, who led the DNA Doe Project team, expressed excitement at being able to give “Chimney Doe” his name back after decades of anonymity. The case of Kirk was unique due to his adoption and complicated family history, but through meticulous genealogy work, the team was able to establish his identity. The discovery of Kirk’s identity after so many years is a breakthrough in the case, and investigators are hopeful that it will lead to new leads and potentially solve the mystery of his death. The police are urging anyone with information about Ronnie Joe Kirk or his time in Madison to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The 35-year-old mystery of “Chimney Doe” finally came to a close with the identification of Ronnie Joe Kirk, who had been found in the pipe of a music store decades earlier. The police are now focused on finding out what led to Kirk’s death and uncovering any potential leads that may help solve the case. With Kirk’s connections to multiple states and his adoption, the investigation is complex and requires collaboration with different agencies. The DNA Doe Project played a crucial role in identifying Kirk and providing closure for his family, and the police are hopeful that further information will come to light to bring justice for him.
The discovery of Ronnie Joe Kirk’s identity has brought renewed attention to the “Chimney Doe” case, and authorities are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may be relevant. Kirk’s adoption and family history add a layer of complexity to the investigation, but the police remain determined to uncover the truth about his death. The identification of Kirk after so many years is a significant development in the case, and investigators are working diligently to piece together the puzzle of what happened to him. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in their efforts to bring closure to the case and justice for Ronnie Joe Kirk.
