In 1999, two fishermen in Kentucky found human remains in a lake wrapped in heavy tire chains and anchored with a hydraulic jack.
Using advanced DNA technology, state police on Monday identified the remains as those of Roger D. Parham, 53, who fled a federal arrest warrant in Arkansas in connection with the alleged 1998 rape of a minor, according to FBI records.
Kentucky State Police said Parham’s death is being investigated as a homicide.
Roger Parham. Kentucky State Police
According to the FBI, authorities believe Parham fled Arkansas and may have traveled to Mexico after being released on bond with the condition that he appear in court at a later date on the rape charges.
Bail was revoked when he failed to appear and a federal arrest warrant was issued for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Kentucky State Police said multiple attempts have been made over the years to identify the remains found in Lake Barkley, about 200 miles southwest of Louisville. Traditional examination techniques were used when the remains were discovered in 1999 and the body parts were exhumed in 2016 for further study.
“Despite extensive efforts using DNA technology, dental examinations, forensic pathology and other advanced forensic testing, the victim remained unknown,” Kentucky State Police said in a news release.
A 3D model of the unknown person.Kentucky State Police
Kentucky State Police said it started a private lab specializing in forensic genealogy earlier this year. The Othram Inc. laboratory gained notoriety for helping to identify “the girl with the scorpion tattoo” who was beaten and strangled and washed up on a beach in Staten Island, a borough of New York City, 30 years ago a pair of human legs found on the side of the road in Montana, among numerous other cold cases.
According to Othram’s website, genealogy testing examines people’s genomes to find the roots of their ancestors and link them to relatives. Examination of Lake Barkley’s remains led to a person related to Parham, Kentucky State Police said.
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2023-12-19 17:42:40
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