Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Teams with Othram to Identify a 2016 John Doe

Unidentified since 2016, the remains of a man discovered southwest of downtown Nashville, Tennessee are now known to belong to Barkley Phillip Jones, born March 16, 1957.
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Published February 05 by Michael Vogen
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Summary

In October 2016, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered near the intersection of 25th Avenue North and Charlotte Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. Law enforcement responded to the scene and found the remains of a man on the side of the roadway in an area southwest of downtown Nashville. It was determined that the man was between the ages of thirty-five and sixty years. The man was approximately 5’9” tall with gray hair that was approximately three inches long and he had a long, gray/red beard.

No other identifying characteristics were available for the man and despite the efforts of investigators, the man could not be identified. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP16576.

In May 2022, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas in hopes that advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help generate new leads and identify the man. Othram scientists developed a DNA extract from skeletal remains and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house genealogy team used the DNA profile in conjunction with forensic genetic genealogy to produce new investigative leads, which were returned to investigators.

Using these new leads, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading investigators to relatives of the unidentified man. Confirmatory DNA testing was performed and has now enabled investigators to establish the identity of the man as Barkley Phillip Jones, born March 16, 1957. No other details regarding Jones are available at this time.

Othram has previously partnered with multiple agencies in Tennessee to identify nine individuals. Metropolitan Nashville Police is currently working with Othram to identify Davidson County Jane Doe whose remains were discovered in 2020.

Help fund another case Your contributions pay for lab supplies and research tools

Michael Vogen

Michael Vogen

Director of Case Management

2829 Technology Forest Blvd Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
media@othram.com

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.

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About Othram Inc.

Othram is the world’s first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram’s scientists are experts at ... Read morerecovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches have failed. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. With dnasolves.com anyone can make a difference and help solve the next cold case.