Central Ohio Cold Case Solved: Man Found in 1991 Identified Through DNA Technology
Columbus, OH – After more than three decades, the identity of a man whose remains were discovered in franklin County in 1991 has been confirmed as Ernest Emerson Carter, thanks to advancements in DNA technology and a collaborative effort between local and state agencies.The breakthrough, announced today, brings closure to a decades-old mystery.
Carter’s remains were initially found in 1991, but traditional methods of identification proved unsuccessful. The case was revisited utilizing modern forensic techniques, including DNA analysis through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Inquiry’s (BCI) Project LINK, an initiative comparing unidentified remains DNA with that of missing persons. These initial searches yielded no matches.
Further DNA testing conducted by BCI also failed to generate leads. The Porchlight Project, a non-profit organization funding forensic genealogy for families of missing and murdered individuals, then stepped in, providing funding for testing by Othram, a Texas-based forensics technology company, last year.
Genealogists working with BCI were able to build a family tree and ultimately identified a male relative. Subsequent DNA confirmation established the remains as those of Ernest Emerson Carter. A photograph from June 1948, provided by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, shows Carter second from the left.
“We believe each person is worthy of dignity and respect,” Franklin County Coroner Nathan Overmire said in a statement. “Our patients can no longer advocate for themselves, so we must on their behalf.I am extremely proud of the compassionate, talented staff who worked on this case from my office, BCI and our community partners. Together, we were able to utilize science to solve a mystery.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost lauded the “public-private partnership” that led to the identification. “Solving a cold case takes teamwork, technology and tenacity – all of which were on display in this case,” Yost stated. “This type of public-private partnership has a direct impact on so many and brings real results to loved ones.”
The identification highlights the growing role of forensic genealogy in resolving cold cases and providing answers to families who have long sought closure.
