Results from the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia support the conclusion that the bones exhumed from the Beaufort National Cemetery on August 24^th, 2005 are in fact Michael Stephen Akey’s, a 14-year-old teenager who disappeared in June of 1972 in Beaufort.

Captain Bob Bromage, Beaufort County’s Cold Case Investigator, received the FBI’s results this week. The FBI’s findings were based on Mitochondrial DNA analysis.  An examiner matches the DNA in question with his or her siblings’ by looking for the same DNA sequence inherited from their mother.

The results in Akey’s analysis support and strengthen the conclusion that the bones found on February 8^th, 1978 at White Hall Plantation on Lady’s Island are in fact Michael Akey’s. Two workers clearing the land discovered skeletal remains and called the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Akey disappeared on June 24^th, 1972. Two of his friends reported that Akey was abducted near Highway 170 in Beaufort, South Carolina by an unknown Caucasian male in his 20’s, driving a sedan. At the time, the two friends admitted to investigators that the three teenagers were attempting to commit petty theft.

More than five years later on February 8^th, 1978, Akey’s skeletal remains and more clues were found at White Hall Plantation to lead investigators to suspect foul play. Based on the technology and techniques available at that time, forensic experts in pathology, odontology and anthropology examined the skeletal remains and agreed that the remains were Akey’s.

In order to gain more precise, scientific evidence that the remains are Akey’s, a Circuit Court order allowed the exhumation of the presumed remains of Akey on August 24, 2005. The remains, along with DNA samples of Michael Akey’s siblings, were taken to the FBI Laboratory.

Investigators suspect foul play and persons of interest are currently being investigated. 

If you know anything about this case, please call Captain Bob Bromage at (843) 816-8013.

Michael Steven Akey - (1972) Missing; (1978) Skeletal remains found in White Hall Plantation area of Ladys Island.