Body Found Near Chicago Train Tracks Identified as Missing Man

Advanced DNA testing helped solve the mystery of the unidentified remains.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 5:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A human torso found near train tracks in Chicago in May 2025 has been identified through DNA testing as Isaiah Terrill Hall, a 26-year-old Chicago resident who was reported missing in April 2025. The homicide investigation into Hall's death remains ongoing.

Why it matters

The identification of the remains provides closure for Hall's family and allows the investigation into his death to move forward, though the circumstances around his disappearance and murder remain unclear. The use of advanced DNA testing techniques highlights the importance of forensic science in solving difficult cases.

The details

A train conductor walking the tracks on May 29, 2025, discovered a human torso partially buried in a shallow grave near East 93rd Street in Chicago. Standard forensic methods did not lead to an identification, so investigators turned to Othram, a specialized forensic lab in Texas, to develop a DNA profile from the remains. That profile was then compared to a DNA sample from a possible relative, leading to the identification of the victim as Isaiah Terrill Hall, a 26-year-old Chicago resident who was last seen in April 2025.

  • The remains were discovered on May 29, 2025.
  • Hall was last seen around 2 a.m. on April 27, 2025.
  • The DNA testing and identification process took place in October 2025.

The players

Isaiah Terrill Hall

A 26-year-old Chicago resident who was reported missing in April 2025 and whose remains were later identified through DNA testing.

Othram

A specialized forensic laboratory in Texas that developed a DNA profile from the unidentified remains, allowing investigators to make the identification.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Families deserve answers and in a case like this, the identification is just the next step in the investigation. Our hearts go out to this man's family and the community as the investigation goes forward into exactly what happened.”

— Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram (Othram)

What’s next

Officials said the investigation into Hall's murder is ongoing.

The takeaway

The identification of Isaiah Terrill Hall's remains through advanced DNA testing highlights the importance of forensic science in solving difficult cases and providing closure for families of missing persons. However, the circumstances around Hall's disappearance and death remain unclear, and the homicide investigation is still ongoing.