Unidentified Human Remains Initiative

A special agent discusses evidence with a representative from Othram.

In some cases, despite the best efforts of investigators, the identities of individuals who are found deceased remain unknown. With few leads to pursue, the cases often grow cold. However, over the last several years, law enforcement agencies across the country have seen measurable success in submitting skeletal remains of unidentified individuals for forensic genetic genealogy testing.

The Bureau’s bold initiative began in 2022 after the Governor’s Office was approached with a proposal regarding specialized DNA testing involving unidentified human remains cases. They recognized the need and partnered with TBI to provide one-time funding of $100,000, later approved by the General Assembly to be used specifically for forensic genetic genealogy testing in TBI cold cases in which all other methods have been exhausted.

Fourteen cases involving unidentified individuals initially met the criteria for the initiative. Agents submitted a portion of the skeletal remains of each victim to Othram, Inc., a private lab based in Texas, to conduct DNA sequencing and extraction. As of August 2025, eight of those victims have been identified.

While we’ve seen measurable success, there is still a lot of work left to do. Currently, there are more than 100 cold cases in Tennessee that involve unidentified human remains.

Fortunately, TBI received an additional $100,000 as a result of U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett’s 2024 Community Project Funding request through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The federal funds will allow agents to expand the initiative,
working with local agencies across the state to submit more cases involving unidentified individuals for forensic genetic genealogy testing, striving to give family members and loved ones closure.

Our mission with this initiative is simple. Wewant to determine the identities of the victims so that we can develop information and potential leads about the circumstances leading to each person’s disappearance and death.

Successfully Identified Victims

Below you will find a list of victims who have been successfully identified through the Unidentified Human Remains Initiative. We will update the list as new information is developed.

Picture of Jerry Harrison
Picture of Michelle Inman
Picture of Linda Karnes
Picture of Kenneth Levall Thompson
Picture of James Keith Nuchols
Picture of Betty Loue Wisley
Picture of Elbert Louis Brown
Picture of John Troutman

Jerry Harrison

         Remains found in Claiborne County in August 1986  Identified in June 2023

He was originally from Little Rock, Arkansas.

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

 

Michelle Lavone Inman

Remains found in Cheatham County in March 1985      Identified in July 2023

She was living in Nashville, Tennessee at the time of her disappearance. 

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

                                                                                                Linda Sue Karnes

Remains found in Cheatham County in October 1981 Identified in August 2023

She grew up in Cunningham, Tennessee.

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

 

  Kenneth Levall Thompson           

   Remains found in Cumberland County in August 1993   Identified in August 2023

                    He was originally from Detroit, Michigan.              Note: Thompson was an adult at the time of his death. The photo we have is a childhood photo. 

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

                                                                                                                                 James Keith Nuchols                          

Remains found in Loudon County in September 1985   Identified in September 2023

He was from Blount County. 

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

                                                                                                       Betty Lou Wisley

           Remains found in Roane County in August 1987     Identified in October 2023 

           She lived in the Knox County area at the time of                                              her death.                                               Note: This is a Roane County case.

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

Elbert Louis Brown

                   Hit by a vehicle and killed in May 1993                  Identified in March 2024.

            He was originally from York, South Carolina.      Note: This is a Knox County case.

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

                                                                                                  John Arthur Troutman

           Remains found in Loudon County in August 2019 Identified in July 2025

          He was originally from Herndon, Pennsylvania.             Note: This is a Loudon County and Knox County Regional Forensic Center case. 

For more information on this case, CLICK HERE.

Unidentified Victims

Below you will find a list of victims who have been submitted for specialized forensic genetic genealogy testing, but have yet to be identified.

SEX

RACE

DATE FOUND

COUNTY

ESTIMATED AGE RANGE

Male Unknown 1/1/1972 Claiborne 45-60
Male White 12/2/1977 Johnson 51-60
Male Black 10/1/1978 Henry 51-60
Male White 4/4/1981 Blount 18-35
Female White 8/5/1983 McMinn 20-30
Male White 1/5/1986 Roane 25-35
Male White 4/8/1988 Hickman 25-45
Male White 8/30/1988 Knox 21-30
Male Hispanic 9/10/1990 Cumberland 20-30
Male Black 4/10/1991 McMinn 31-50
Male Hispanic 8/9/1999 Cocke 25-29
Male Hispanic 3/27/2001 Moore 20-40
Male White 6/14/2003 Jefferson 41-50
Male White 5/18/2018 Dickson 47-67