A timber marking crew discovered the skeletal remains of a black male south of Merryville, on Jan. 4, 1993, in Beauregard Parish. The initial autopsy results conducted by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office in Lake Charles indicated that the unidentified victim died of multiple gunshot wounds. The body was badly decomposed and may have been dead several weeks.
When discovered the victim was wearing a pair of Cotler brand blue jeans, size 30 waist and 30 inseam and tan walking shorts. No shoes, shirt, or socks were found.
Forensic anthropologists with the LSU F.A.C.E.S. determined that the victim was approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, between the ages 28-38 years of age, possibly born between 1965-1975.
The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office continued to follow up on leads without any results. In 2023, the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office contacted Othram Labs in the Woodland, Texas. Othram specializes in DNA extraction and genealogy.
In early 2024, Othram provided a DNA profile of the unidentified person. They also compared the results of the extracted DNA to authorized genealogy websites and determined that the individual most likely descended from the Edna Freeman and Rueben Ardoin family in Evangeline Parish. Othram also provided with names of individuals that shared DNA with the unidentified.
Zeb Johnson, special case coordinator with the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office in Lake Charles, began following the DNA trail. Reconstructing the family tree of the Rueben Ardoin and Edna Freeman families he was able to develop a theory that the victim had ties to Southwest Louisiana (Evangeline Parish) and the Beaumont, Texas areas.
What was surprising is that most of the people listed in the DNA profile refused to cooperate or even discuss the case with investigators. A few people who did speak to investigators either did not know of anyone missing or appeared to not care.
Johnson stated “We feel comfortable that he has relatives in the Evangeline Parish or Beaumont, Texas area. We realize some families do not wish to have their DNA publicly placed on various websites and we understand. All we want to do is put a name to this person. We have received calls from a few law enforcement agencies regarding missing persons and we are prepared to provide some DNA testing.”
“This case is particularly interesting since individuals we call do not return calls or block us on the various social media sites. We have even contacted people that done the family genealogy trees and they either don’t return our calls or don’t have time for us. Maybe if people realize we are not attempting to put someone in jail or ask for money they will call us.”
Johnson said he will continue to work the case hoping that someday, someone will say “I wonder what happened to a particular family member.”
The DNA and information is available on the National Missing and Unidentified Person Website (NaMus).
