Italian State Police were mystified. In 2005, they had found human remains and a few articles of clothing, along with other items. Who could this person be? The remains had been discovered in the Italian Alps, on the Matterhorn, more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The Matterhorn, one of the highest summits in Europe, is a breath-taking mountain symmetrically shaped like a pyramid that rises 14,692 feet into the air.
It wasn’t until 2017 that they were able to use new advances in DNA research to determine that the remains belonged to a man between the ages of 30 and 35. Experts also determined by the skis, belt, watch and eyeglasses that he must have died in the 1950s and was possibly French. Because the bits of clothing were not particularly heavy, they also assumed that he had died later in the winter or early spring.
A Clear Identity
The incredible complexity of DNA is still being discovered. It points to a Creator God who not only gave every one of us an identity, but who is also intensely interested in each one of us. In fact, the Bible tells us that He has numbered the hairs on our head — and He has our very breath in His hands! “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:77But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)), and, “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)). But God is more than just intensely interested in each of us — He has an unbounded, sacrificial love for all those who will come to Him in faith. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). The same God that gave us our unique DNA sent His Son Jesus to die and shed His blood on Calvary’s cross for our sins. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). When we admit that we are sinners and ask God to forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake, He will forgive us and give us eternal life. So great is God’s love toward each one of us!
Solving the Mystery
The findings of the Italian State Police were promptly posted on Facebook and other media outlets. They also passed on this information to their French counterparts. The story soon went viral and the media picked it up. Within a few hours a woman posted on an Italian State Police website that she knew the identity of the man.
Emma Nassem had heard of the story on a French program and said that her uncle, Henri le Masne had disappeared on the Matterhorn in the 1950s. Could this be the identity of the skier that had lost his life? Police decided to find out. They contacted Emma’s father, 95-year-old Roger le Masne, for a saliva sample. The results of the saliva sample proved that the dead skier was, in fact, Henri le Masne. They determined that he had died on March 26, 1954, on the day of his thirty-fifth birthday!
With a name and an identity, the Italian State Police were able to piece together his life. Henri le Masne had worked at the Ministry of Finance in Paris and was an avid skier. Though he had survived an accident on the Alps two years before his death, he still loved the mountains for their solitude and would often go hiking or skiing. He often told his brother that he was not afraid of the dangers that one could face on the mountain.
“We have been able to reconstruct the existence of a man who had been buried in our mountains for over 60 years,” said Italian State Police in their statement.
Eternity Is Forever
It took 64 years to identify Henri le Masne. That’s almost twice as long as he had lived! Dear friend, life is short; eternity is forever! Accept God’s loving gift of salvation today — He will make you His child forever. Then ask Him to help you to live for Him and serve Him for however much time He gives you. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
DNA can work as much for the presumed guilty as it might against the presumed innocent. Guilty or Innocent by DNA leads to the important topic of absolute certainty in the highest court of all.