Hillsborough detectives identify human remains found in 1995 cold case

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County detectives said they have finally identified the remains of a deceased man nearly 30 years after he was found.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies found a dead man in a tent in the area of Bearss Avenue and I-275 back on April 29, 1995.

The man’s body was heavily decomposed, but investigators determined he died of natural causes, not from a homicide.

For decades, the man’s identity was unknown until in May 2023 when detectives reviewed the death investigation with Othram Labs, which is known for its work with forensic genealogy testing.

Using the remains, the company provided a lead on a man named Christopher Mammana, who was 75 years old when he disappeared in 1993.

According to investigators, Mammana moved to Florida in the 90s after his wife, Connie, died. His last known address was in Tampa, but he was not heard from after moving to Florida.

Detectives learned that Mammana had a grave in Easton Cemetery in Pennsylvania, but no one was buried at the plot.

Investigators tracked down two of the man’s nieces in June 2024, and using a voluntary DNA sample, the HCSO Cold Case Unit positively identified the remains as belonging to Mammana.

“Despite the challenging circumstances and the lack of initial leads, the Cold Case Unit detectives persevered, determined to bring closure to this case,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “To be able to identify someone that died nearly 30 years ago speaks to the commitment of our Cold Case Unit.”

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