Summary
In March 2023, human cranial remains were found near a car wash on Terry Road in Jackson, Mississippi. After a thorough search of the area revealed no further remains, the case was handed over to the Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner in Pearl, Mississippi, and recorded under the identifier ME23- 0229. In October 2023, the case was transferred to Anthropology for the development of a biological profile and positive identification. The skull, which was fully skeletonized and in poor condition was analyzed, suggesting the remains were likely those of an adult male. Details of the case were entered into the National Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP112359.
In 2023, the Mississippi State Medical Examiner, working with Jackson Police Department and Hinds County Deputy Coroner Jeramiah Howard, submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Funding to support this case was provided by Mississippi native and philanthropist Carla Davis, who is committed to resolving the backlog of cold cases in Mississippi. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct extensive genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
A follow-up investigation led law enforcement to potential relatives of the unknown man. DNA reference testing was performed, confirming the identity of the man as Elton Orlando Jackson, born on May 25, 1958. Mr. Jackson disappeared in 2016 after telling his girlfriend he would walk to a nearby store. His phone was returned by an unidentified individual after his disappearance, and he was officially reported missing on January 3, 2017.
The identification of Elton Orlando Jackson represents the 24th case in the State of Mississippi where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently, James Wadley was identified.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1210, referencing case 2023-03-03741. Further updates will be shared as new information becomes available.
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.