Summary
In June 1990, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found by a fisherman three miles north of Barfield Landing on the west side of the Mississippi River bank. The Mississippi County Sheriff's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. The remains were determined to belong to a White adult man, who stood about 5'9" tall and was between the ages of 45 and 65. The remains were found with a pair of blue jeans, a black belt and a blue-and-white checkered shirt. Investigators also found a pair of blue Protech brand shoes with rubber soles-size 9 and 1/2.
Despite a lengthy investigation, the man could not be identified and became known as Mississippi County John Doe. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP2849.
In 2025, the Arkansas Attorney General's Office Cold Case Unit and the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the provided evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Charles Benjamin Rhoades, born July 9, 1940. Rhoades had been missing for nearly 35 years.
On June 23, 1990, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office reported finding a male body on the banks of the Mississippi River. Due to the stage of decomposition, the identity of the body could not be determined at the time.
— Attorney General Tim Griffin (@AGTimGriffin) November 3, 2025
On June 18, 2024, I established a new unit investigating… pic.twitter.com/9O2NABTx2v
Funding for the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy used in this case was provided by Arkansas Attorney General's Office and we are very grateful for the assistance in resourcing the case.
Charles Rhoades's identification is the 8th case in the State of Arkansas where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.
Dan Miller
Director of Customer Service
Dan guides law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally through every step of the forensic process—from crime scene to courtroom. He ensures investigators have the support and resources they need to navigate advanced DNA testing and maximize the impact of forensic evidence in their cases.