Skeletal remains found in 2004 positively identified as missing Kentucky man
10/26/2022 2:34 pm PDT
MONROE COUNTY, Ind. (TCD) -- Law enforcement officials announced last week they have positively identified human remains that were initially discovered almost 20 years ago.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, in May 2004, a turkey hunter found skeletal remains on Richardson Road near Lake Lemon. Investigators worked to identify the victim through several means, including entering DNA into a federal database, facial reconstruction with clay and computer programs, and press releases.
In 2022, a detective at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office contacted Othram, a lab that specializes in DNA analysis, and requested their help in identifying the man.
In a statement, Othram said the male victim was believed to be between 55 and 70 years old at the time of his death and around 5-foot-11. Investigators believe he had been murdered sometime "within the past year before he was found."
The team at Othram created a DNA profile of the victim, and the Monroe County detective contacted some potential family members of the victim.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the detective obtained a DNA sample from the suspected victim’s nephew and compared it with the human remains.
Authorities identified the victim as 38-year-old Steven Gabbard of Lexington, Kentucky. He was reportedly last known to be in Indianapolis, Indiana, and investigators suspect "he may have been met with foul play."
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