More than a decade after he vanished, the remains of a missing Rochester man have been identified.
The New York State Police, in collaboration with the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed that human remains discovered in December 2021 near a culvert along State Route 36 in the Town of Dansville belong to Doh Soe, a Burmese refugee who disappeared in 2011.
Soe was reported missing by Rochester Police on June 1, 2011, after he was last seen leaving work at Wegmans Next Door Bar & Grill on Monroe Avenue the evening of May 29. He was 23 years old at the time.
In the years following his disappearance, Soe’s case remained unsolved — until New York State Department of Transportation workers stumbled upon skeletal remains while doing roadside repairs on December 13, 2021.
Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, investigators were recently able to positively identify the remains as Soe’s.
Known details of the case
- Soe stood 5’4″ tall and weighed about 120 pounds.
- His 2000 Chevy Lumina was found at his Rochester residence.
- He was reportedly associated with other vehicles, including a red 1999 Ford F-250 and a black 2005 Chevy Impala.
- Soe was active in the Burmese immigrant community and frequented local venues like Alex 140, Tilt nightclub, and Jones Pond Campground in Angelica.
- The morning he disappeared, he purchased a new LG Optimus S cell phone at the Greece Ridge Mall — the phone has never been found.
Investigation ongoing
State Police say they are continuing to analyze clothing and personal items found with the remains using updated forensic tools. They are also pursuing leads across the East Coast and Texas, and are encouraging the public to come forward with any information — especially regarding the missing cell phone.
Soe’s family remembers him as a “hardworking and happy young man” who is deeply missed. Investigators say they remain committed to finding out what happened and are urging anyone with information to call the dedicated tip line at (607) 225-5400. Calls can be made anonymously.
“No detail is too small,” State Police said.
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