In January 1998, a state highway employee discovered skeletal remains along Fruitridge Avenue near the I-70 overpass in Vigo County. Despite numerous investigative efforts over the past 26 years, the remains have remained unidentified. In 2023, the Vigo County Coroner’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram, a company specializing in forensic genealogy. Indiana State Police Cold Case Team detectives contacted potential family members, and further DNA testing identified the remains as Mitchell Preston of Anderson, Indiana. Preston, 47, was last seen in August 1997 in Anderson, traveling on foot to California. While detectives are pleased to provide closure for Preston’s family, they seek the public’s help. Anyone with information about Preston or his disappearance is urged to contact the Indiana State Police Cold Case Team, Trooper Detective Brad Miller, at 1-800-225-8576.
Photo: Mitchell Preston
