Unidentified Human Remains Initiative

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.








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 |