Nearly 56 Years Later, State Police Identify Body Found in Andover

Young man with dark hair, wearing a light t-shirt, stands with hands on hips, smiling slightly.
Clyde Coppage, whose remains were identified nearly 56 years after being found in Andover, is pictured in an undated photo.

Nearly 56 years after a body was discovered in Allegany County, New York State Police say they have finally identified the victim.

Troopers say the body of a man without a head or hands was found on Davis Hill Road in the town of Andover on March 20, 1970. Despite decades of investigation, authorities were unable to determine the victim’s identity.

In June of 2022, investigators exhumed the remains in order to collect DNA. With assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DNA was eventually used to identify the victim as 35-year-old Clyde A. Coppage.

Police say Coppage was living in Genesee, Pennsylvania, at the time of his disappearance. He was not originally from the area and had never been reported missing.

State Police say the investigation into Coppage’s death remains active, and investigators with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at State Police Amity are asking for the public’s help for any information about him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the New York State Police at 585-344-6200.

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