DNA Helps Identify Remains in Decade-Old Upstate Cold Case

NYSP Confirms Identity of Remains in 2011 Cold Case

The New York State Police, alongside the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, have announced a breakthrough in a 2011 cold case.

The human remains discovered on December 13, 2021, along State Route 36 in Dansville (Steuben County) have now been positively identified as Doh Soe, a Burmese refugee who went missing in Rochester more than a decade ago, according to a report from the NYSP.

How the Remains Were Found

State Police say the remains were first discovered near a culvert by New York State Department of Transportation workers performing roadside repairs.

Along with the remains, investigators recovered personal and clothing items, which are now being re-examined using advances in DNA technology not available in 2021.

Who Was Doh Soe?

Born December 21st, 1987, Doh Soe stood 5’4” and weighed about 120 pounds.

The New York State Police chronicled the following list of events that led to his unfortunate death, and they hope the timeline leads to further tips and ultimately the capture of whoever was involved in his death.

• On June 1, 2011, Rochester Police received a missing person report after Soe failed to return home. He was last seen on the evening of May 29, 2011, leaving his job at Wegmans Next Door Bar & Grill.
• His 2000 Chevy Lumina was later recovered at his residence. Investigators also believe he may have been connected to a red 1999 Ford F-250 Super Cab and a black 2005 Chevy Impala.
• Friends and family say he was a familiar face within Rochester’s Burmese immigrant community, and he frequently visited local nightlife spots.
• Investigators also learned that on the morning of May 29th, 2011, Soe purchased a new LG Optimus S phone at the Greece Ridge Mall. That phone has never been recovered.
• Authorities are urging anyone who may have come into contact with it to report the incident to the police. A dedicated tip line has been established at (607) 225-5400. Calls can be made anonymously, and police emphasize that no piece of information is too small.

Remembering Doh Soe

Loved ones describe Soe as a hardworking, happy young man who is deeply missed. While the identification provides some long-awaited answers, his family and community continue to seek justice.