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NATCHEZ – A national DNA forensics firm is now working to help identify the headless skeleton remains found in Natchez in 2024.

The remains were found following a traffic stop in March 2024, when the driver led officers to the remains about 10 feet off the roadway in the area between Fatherland Road and the turnoff to the First Lutheran Church. The skeletal remains were mostly covered by leaves and while the body was intact, the head was missing.

The remains are believed to belong to an adult male, whose age could not be definitively determined. The man stood between 5’9” and 6’4”. An ID card found near the remains suggests the individual may have been a 70-year-old male, but no official identification has been made.

The case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP124871.

Despite investigators’ efforts, the individual has not been identified so the Mississippi State Medical Examiner has teamed with Othram to help identify the body. Othram uses advanced DNA forensics testing help solve cold cases across the country.

The company will develop a DNA extract and use Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile that can be used for forensic genetic genealogy analysis.

A DNASolves crowdfund has been established to cover the costs associated with this case, including lab supplies and research tools. The goal of the campaign is $7,500 and individuals can contribute here.

Othram recently identified Stephen Jason Rosa as the man whose body was found in May 2024 in Rankin County. The identification represents the 36th publicly-announced case that was solved in the State of Mississippi using technology developed by Othram. To learn about other cases in Mississippi, visit DNASolves.