Summary
In March 2023, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson is located in Hinds County in central Mississippi. The Jackson Police Department responded to the scene and found the remains of the individual located in an abandoned house on Cooper Road. It was determined that the remains were that of a male. The man’s age and other identifying characteristics could not be determined.
Despite the efforts of investigators, the man’s identity could not be determined and he became known as Hinds County John Doe. In 2023, Hinds County Deputy Coroner Jeramiah Howard, the Jackson Police Department, and Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help determine the identity of the man.
In December 2023, forensic evidence was submitted to Othram, in The Woodlands, Texas. 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 forensic genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
A follow-up investigation led investigators to relatives of the unknown man. DNA reference testing was performed, confirming the identity of the man as Gary L. Lockhart, born January 30, 1953. Lockhart was a veteran, serving in Panama and the Vietnam war. Lockhart was reported missing and his daughters actively searched for him for over a decade, even hiring private investigators to track him. Eventually Lockhart became untraceable, and his whereabouts were unknown.
The identification of Gary Lockhart represents the twentieth case in the state of Mississippi where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Most recently in Forrest County, Kimberly Ann Robertson was identified after her remains were located in a wooded area.
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.