Photo by James Short
Skeletal remains were found in March in Towamencin
As a result of a several-months-long, multiagency investigation, Montgomery County Coroner Janine Darby announced publicly on Tuesday that the skeletal remains found in March in Towamencin have been identified as Isaias Hernandez-Geronimo, 34, though the cause of death is still undetermined.
"Identifying skeletal remains is a meticulous process," said Darby in a Tuesday morning press release. She said the family had already been notified. Geronimo is survived by a wife and children. He had moved to the U.S. a few months prior to his death, according to Darby.
Photo by James ShortDarby said that it was a particularly sad case, as "no one should die alone."
“Based on what we found, based on talking to the family, it has been two years,” Darby said of the length of time the remains were hidden. “I will not comment further why a missing person report was not put out there. "
It is not known if Geronimo is a documented citizen. Darby said it was thanks to DNA that the body was able to be identified.
"Scant traces of DNA" remained on the body, according to Darby. From there, they were able to find family and "make the connection."
"It is very difficult when you don’t have fluid on a body to collect tissue and analyze for DNA," she said.
As of now, the case is officially closed, according to Darby, who noted no foul play was suspected.
Darby was joined by Towamencin Township Police Department Chief Tim Troxel, Dr. Ian Hood, a forensic pathologist, Dr. John Nase, a forensic odontologist, and Arthur Young, a forensic DNA analyst.
Human remains recovered in March in Towamencin Township have had local police and county detectives working since to identify the body and what may have happened since. A surveyor doing contract work near Welsh Road and Grist Mill Drive contacted police around 11:58 a.m. on March 18 reported seeing a human skull in a retention basin. Towamencin Police Chief Troxel said police located the skull and secured the scene that day, according to reports in March.
Police reported at the time that there was “no initial indications of trauma or foul play” at the scene, though investigations would continue. On March 21, Darby updated North Penn Now, stating that her team was called to the scene after the discovery. She noted that additional remains were recovered, but that the body was incomplete, with both hands, a foot, and other skeletal pieces remaining uncovered.
Darby noted teeth marks on the bones, likely from area animals, as she said the body had been in the basin for one to two years. Forensic anthropologists were required to determine age, height, and gender, as well as the cause of death, she said.
“Our goal is to determine who this person was, how they died, and provide some closure for their loved ones,” Darby said in a March 2024 interview. A joint investigation involving Towamencin Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau continued at that time.
By March 28, the remains were identified by anthropologists as being male, at least 40 years of age, and around 5’6” in height, thought cause of death was still to be determined. On June 3, Darby reported to North Penn Now that investigators had returned to the location of the body a second time, where they were able to locate a mandible and cell phone.
“We’re getting close,” Darby said in June. “We are waiting to get some things back.”
