MS MS- Male, partial skeletal,1980, DNA identified 2024 - Luther Marion Ezell, born on December 1, 1913

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After 44 years, Mississippi John Doe (1980) is Identified

Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner and MBI Team with Othram to Identify 1980 John Doe

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"On June 2022, the partial skeletal remains of an unknown individual were transferred into the custody of the Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner. It is believed that the remains were likely discovered in 1980. The only identifying characteristics that could be determined were that the individual was a male who stood between 5’4” and 6’1” feet tall and was between the ages of 30 and 50 years.

In 2023, the Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner 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 investigators to genetic relatives of the unknown man. DNA reference testing was performed, confirming the identity of the man as Luther Marion Ezell, born on December 1, 1913. Ezell left his home in California to travel to Arkansas and was last heard from in the spring of 1980.''