More than 40 years after he disappeared, an Ohio man has been identified as the victim in a Winneshiek County cold case.
Clifton Todd Womack, 28, was last seen on April 5, 1985, in Eastlake, Ohio. According to investigators, Womack was living with his mother and told her he was leaving to look for a job. He was reported missing and was never seen again.
On March 23, 1986, a rural Winneshiek County resident discovered the body of an unidentified man wedged between hay bales inside a barn. Investigators were unable to identify the man at the time. A facial reconstruction was later completed at the Mayo Clinic, but it did not lead to an identification. The remains were eventually buried at Freeport Cemetery near Decorah.
In 2026, Winneshiek County Deputy Cole Tweten worked to have the remains exhumed so DNA testing could be conducted. The remains were recovered in April and taken to the Iowa DCI Crime Laboratory for examination and DNA testing.
On June 11, forensic anthropologist Dr. Heather Garvin compared dental records through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and found a match to Womack. DNA testing and forensic genealogy, including a DNA sample previously submitted by Womack’s brother, supported the identification.
Source: Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office
