Art Student’s Face Recreation Skills Help Crack Fort Myers Cold Case

A student's knack for facial reconstruction at Ringling College helped solve a Fort Myers mystery. Senior Noah Shadowens worked wonders with clay and bone during a workshop led by Joe Mullins, an expert in forensic imaging.

The case broke when Detective Richard Harasym matched X-rays to confirm the remains belonged to Shane Michael Williams. It began with Shadowens shaping features onto a skull found last August.

"It's a success, it is definitely rewarding, but it is a success in tragedy," Shadowens said to Fox 13 News. "I'm so beyond excited they were able to identify him. I just want to keep going and continue to do this type of work, but it will always end up in loss, but answers."

The skull had signs of a white male in his 30s. A worn diary found nearby held important clues — a phone number and name that pointed police to Williams's brother. Upon seeing the recreation, the brother immediately recognized Williams. The family hadn't heard from him in about a year because of his drug problems. Notes found in Williams's bag matched details from the facial work.