Summary

In May 2001, 56-year-old Herman Wilder was beaten with a wooden stake and killed outside his apartment in Dahlonega, a small city in Lumpkin County, Georgia, about 70 miles north of Atlanta. The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office responded and began collecting evidence and investigating the homicide. It was determined that the blood from an unknown individual was on the wooden picket and on a hat belonging to the suspect that were located at the scene. Both items were tested for DNA and the unknown profiles from the wooden picket and the hat matched. An STR profile was uploaded to CODIS but there was not a match to a known person. Despite an exhaustive investigation, the suspect could not be identified and the case went cold.

In 2023, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas where scientists determined that advanced DNA testing could help to identify the suspect. 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 suspect. 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 suspect. Reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unidentified suspect. This investigation led to the positive identification of the suspect, who is now known to be Carroll Dean Burrell, who was 41 years old at the time of the attack. Burrell, who has since died, is not believe to have known Herman Wilder. Burrell had a history of mental health issues and was known to have exhibited delusional and violent behavior.

This case illustrates the power of collaboration, reinforcing that every piece of preserved evidence has the potential to unlock long-awaited answers. If you would like to support efforts to solve more cases like this, consider contributing your DNA profile to the DNASolves database which aids law enforcement in identifying suspects and giving families the answers they deserve.

The identification of Carroll Burrell represents the 26th case in the State of Georgia where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other Georgia cases where your support can help bring long-awaited answers to families.