TN TN - Murfreesboro, WhtMale 31-45, UP1585, bypass surgery scar, on fire, Aug'78

[Peggyr]

"The only clues to his identity were three scars around his groin, likely from a vascular surgery, called a "Dacron graft." The surgery was invented in the 1950s but still wasn't common in the late '70s."

Do hospitals keep records for back this far? Just thinking if it is quite an unusual or innovative surgery, that there might still be some sort of records? I realise it's different in the US, there is no "joined up" national health system that might centrally store records anywhere.

Well I have an interesting bit of information I was contacted by the current detective and the dna lab in Texas turns out this guy and I have similar dna. They have traced him to be about my 4th cousin but still no name as of yet. I do not know him nor have I ever seen him with the exception of the morgue photos that were sent to me from the detective he was not disfigured nor was he skeletal remains. Even the burns on his upper chest were not too bad. And his face just showed a couple small entry wounds from the gun shot

 

[dotr]

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/body-found-in-la-vergne-identified-after-1978-murder/

by: Alicia Patton Oct 6 2025 rbbm.

''RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nearly 50 years after a man’s body was found near a recreation area in La Vergne, authorities say they finally know his name.

On Monday, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office announced that DNA testing indicates that Jessie Lee Williamson, 52, was the man found wrapped in a smoldering blanket at the Poole Knobs Recreation Area along Jones Road on Aug. 1, 1978.''

''According to Brinkley, in August 2021 the RCSO partnered with Othram — a private DNA lab — with hopes for an identification. By Oct. 1, 2025, Othram notified the sheriff’s office that Williamson had been positively identified as the 1978 murder victim found in La Vergne.

During Monday’s press conference, Brinkley said not much is known about Williamson, but authorities believe he was in the Navy for some time.''

 

[victoriarobinson642]

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/body-found-in-la-vergne-identified-after-1978-murder/

by: Alicia Patton Oct 6 2025 rbbm.
View attachment 618513
''RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nearly 50 years after a man’s body was found near a recreation area in La Vergne, authorities say they finally know his name.

On Monday, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office announced that DNA testing indicates that Jessie Lee Williamson, 52, was the man found wrapped in a smoldering blanket at the Poole Knobs Recreation Area along Jones Road on Aug. 1, 1978.''

''According to Brinkley, in August 2021 the RCSO partnered with Othram — a private DNA lab — with hopes for an identification. By Oct. 1, 2025, Othram notified the sheriff’s office that Williamson had been positively identified as the 1978 murder victim found in La Vergne.

During Monday’s press conference, Brinkley said not much is known about Williamson, but authorities believe he was in the Navy for some time.''

Not far off, IMO.

 

[dotr]

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Streamed live 3 hours ago
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office identifies victim in 1970s cold case.
Transcript.
''2:01
I can't give Othram enough credit.
2:02
They've uh stuck with it and kept me
2:05
updated throughout the years that I've
2:07
been handling the case and um the case
2:11
handler there, Michael Vogen, has been
2:13
just fantastic to work with.''

Tennessee cold case victim in 1978 murder identified

Jessie Lee Williamson, 52, was found dead in La Vergne, Tenn. in on Aug. 1, 1978. Photo shows Williamson when he was younger. (Photo courtesy Rutherford County Sheriff's Office)

newschannel9.com

 

[othram]

Honored that Othram could assist the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office in identifying a 1978 John Doe as Jessie Lee Williamson. His remains were found burned at a boat ramp—an effort to conceal the homicide. Burned remains are among the most challenging types of evidence for DNA analysis, but at Othram, we believe no case should ever be left behind.

A Half-Century Later, Rutherford County Doe is Identified