On August 30, 1988, highway workers with the Iowa Department of Transportation discovered skeletal remains on top of a drainage culvert approximately one-half mile east of Correctionville, Iowa, along U.S. Highway 20. Investigators from the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation responded to the scene; however, there was little evidence available to determine the identity of the individual or the circumstances surrounding their death. Personal effects on and around the remains did not contain any information that was immediately useful in identifying the remains and there were no indicators that the death was a result of foul play.
Investigators were able to determine the remains belonged to a man approx. between the ages of 50-70, but were unable to identify the remains. Evidence suggested the individual had died sometime between 1971- 1975.
For nearly four decades, there were no answers. Then, in 2025, the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Woodbury County Medical Examiner, Iowa State Medical Examiner, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation came together to revisit the investigation. Through a partnership with Othram Laboratories, a sample of the remains underwent DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy analysis, offering a renewed opportunity to determine the individual's identity.
The results were analyzed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a niece of the decadent was successfully identified. Through information provided by the niece, and with continued genetic testing, the decedent was positively identified as Clarence Ames from Dubuque, Iowa.
Clarence, born to Frank and Agatha Ames in 1909, lived with his parents at 2520 Jackson Street in Dubuque through at least 1940 (based on information obtained through the 1925 and 1940 census records). In 1944, Agatha passed away, followed by Frank in 1945.
According to Census records, Clarence rented a room on the first floor of 278 West 17th Street in Dubuque in 1950. By 1954, records show he was living at 1132 Locust Street in Dubuque. Unfortunately, this is the last documented information investigators have been able to locate on Clarence. He never married, had no known children, and there is no record of him being reported missing.
Like many Dubuque residents of the time, Clarence was employed in the sash, millwork, and container manufacturing industries. To date, it is unknown why Clarence was in Woodbury County at the time of his death.
On October 12, 2026, Clarence’s remains were released to his niece, Joan Hewlett of Houston, Texas. Joan purchased a memorial and arranged to have Clarence buried in Dubuque. On October 20,2026, on a beautiful, crisp fall day, Clarence was finally laid to rest, next to his parents Agatha and Frank.
Anyone who knew Clarence Ames or otherwise has information about his life is asked to contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (515)725-6010 or the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit at (712)279-6010. If you prefer to leave an online tip, please click here: MPIC Online Tip.