Summary
In 2022, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Jackson, Mississippi. Located in Hinds County, Jackson is the Mississippi's capital and most populous city. The partially-skeletonized remains were found in a vacant, overgrown field at the intersection of Thomas Catchings Drive and Dixon Road. The Jackson Fire Department made the discovery while on site to extinguish a brush fire. An investigation to determine the individual's identity was launched and it was determined that the remains were that of an adult male with likely European ancestry.
The unknown man had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a homicide. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP100513. With no match to a known individual, the man became known as Hinds County John Doe.
In 2023, the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation once again teamed with Othram in hopes that advanced DNA testing could help to determine the man’s identity. Forensic evidence was submitted to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists developed a DNA extract from the evidence so that a DNA profile could be built for the man using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. Once the DNA profile was built, Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team performed genealogical and records research in order to develop new leads in the case. Funding for this case was provided by Mississippi native and philanthropist, Carla Davis.
These new leads were provided to investigators, and a follow-up investigation was conducted. With the provided information, investigators were able to identify a potential relative of the man. The DNA profile of the potential relative was compared to the unknown man's DNA profile using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing. This investigation led to the identification of the man as Andrew Coker.
The identification of Andrew Gary Coker represents the 34th publicly-announced case that was solved in the State of Mississippi using technology developed by Othram. To learn about other cases in Mississippi, visit DNASolves.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.