Summary
In March 2024, partial skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area of Madisonville, Tennessee, prompting a response from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation was opened and evidence collection began. Just two years earlier, in October 2022, a skull was found and subsequently identified in a nearby area.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office transferred the newly discovered remains to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center for further analysis. Forensic experts worked to assess whether the 2024 remains belonged to the same person whose skull had been found in 2022. They determined the remains were from an individual whose biological sex could not be determined, who stood between 5'5" and 5'9" tall.
Despite these findings, investigators were unable to conclusively determine that the skeletal remains and the skull came from the same individual. The newly recovered remains were therefore classified as a separate unidentified person, later known as Madisonville Doe. Case details were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) under case number UP141472.
Seeking new leads, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Regional Forensic Center submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas in June 2025. Othram scientists determined advanced DNA testing could assist with identification. A DNA extract was developed from the provided evidence and Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® was used to create a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown individual, allowing investigators to continue their investigation.
During the course of the investigation, a reference DNA sample was collected and compared to the unknown person’s DNA profile using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing. These efforts ultimately led to the positive identification of the remains found in 2024 as belonging to Luke Micheal Butler, whose partial remains were previously identified in 2022. Butler, a father of four from Madisonville, was reported missing in October 2019.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Luke Butler’s death, including whether he may have been the victim of a homicide.
Individuals who have taken a consumer DNA test can aid ongoing forensic investigations by joining the DNASolves database. Your participation increases the likelihood of successful identifications, helping to reunite families with their missing loved ones and resolve cases that have remained unsolved for years.
This is the 29th publicly announced case in the State of Tennessee where officials leveraged Othram’s identity inference pipeline. Explore other cases on Othram’s website.
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.