Man found dead in Lake Ontario in 1992 finally ID’d through DNA: police

TORONTO — Toronto police say DNA technology has allowed them to confirm the identity of a man who was found dead in Lake Ontario more than 30 years ago.

Police say the man was found in the Inner Harbour area on July 27, 1992, and conventional investigative techniques were unable to identify him.

They say a DNA profile was obtained and uploaded to public-facing databases in January of this year, and investigators found a lead within days.

Police say they obtained a DNA sample from a potential close relative in Western Canada and the test confirmed the man’s identity last week.

The man, whom police only referred to as Kevin, hadn’t been reported missing but police say his loved ones had long feared the worst.

They say his death was not suspicious.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2026.

The Canadian Press