Across the United States, more than 50,000 bodies remain unidentified—unmourned, unnamed, but not forgotten. NAMING THE DEAD, a riveting new six-part investigative series from National Geographic, brings these untold stories to light. The series follows the groundbreaking work of the DNA Doe Project, a trailblazing nonprofit that uses forensic genealogy to help law enforcement crack the country’s most confounding cold cases. With unprecedented access to active investigations, NAMING THE DEAD captures the relentless pursuit of truth by a dedicated team of genealogists, detectives, coroners, and journalists.

Each episode plays out as a high-stakes mystery—where the clues are fragmented, the timelines stretch decades, and the emotional stakes couldn’t be higher. Through distant DNA matches, fragile paper trails, and sheer determination, these forgotten victims are finally given what they deserve: a name, a history, and a chance of justice. Blending cutting-edge science with deeply human storytelling, NAMING THE DEAD is a gripping testament to the power of identity—and the people who refuse to let the lost be forgotten.

Season 1, Episode 1

The Hitchhiker

A convicted serial killer, Larry Eyler confessed to the murder of more than 20 men across Illinois and Indiana in the 1980s. But several of his victims remained unidentified for decades. Now, after years of frustrated efforts, Newton County Coroner, Scott McCord enlists the help of the DNA Doe Project to try and identify one of the last unknown victims and return him to his family.

Season 1, Episode 2

A Box of Bones

For 38 years the remains of a young woman – found murdered by the side of a freeway outside of Tyler, Texas – have sat inside a cardboard box in the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Now, with retirement looming, Detective David Turner is teaming up with the DNA Doe Project to solve the case, find her family and – finally – lay her to rest.

Season 1, Episode 3

The Body in the Sand

32 years ago a young female is found dead in the desert outside Phoenix – her body too badly decomposed to identify. Now Crime Scene Technician, Stephanie Bourgeois is joining forces with the DNA Doe Project to find the girl’s name and bring her home.

Season 1, Episode 4

The Body on the Train

In 1961, a body was found crushed under ice in a railroad car in Nebraska and quickly buried. After discovering his grave marked with the words ‘Unknown Negro,’ local journalist Marresa Burke is determined to find his family. Teaming up the DNA Doe Project, they take a sample from his exhumed body before following a trail of clues across the country.

Season 1, Episode 5

The Oil Well Murder

Bryan Johnson’s first case as a new detective in 2020 was a homicide – a man found near an oil well site in Stark County, Ohio. But four years on, without even a name for the victim, Bryan has not been able to close the case. He enlists the help of the DNA Doe Project to try and find out the man’s identity.

Season 1, Episode 6

The Man on Fire

For 28 years the horrifying case of a young man who was burned alive sat on a shelf in Atlanta Police Department. Without a name for him, the case remained ‘inactive’. Now investigators have teamed up with the DNA Doe Project to attempt to identify the ‘man on fire’ and provide his family with resolution at last.