JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Forensic evidence helped identify the skeletal remains that were discovered in Jackson last year.

The remains were located in an abandoned home on Cooper Road in March 2023. Investigators determined the remains were male, but his age and other identifying characteristics could not be determined.

Last year, Hinds County Deputy Coroner Jeramiah Howard, the Jackson Police Department, and Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help identify man.

Forensic evidence was submitted to Othram in December 2023. Scientists were able to develop a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and they used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the man.

A follow up investigation led investigators to the relatives of Gary L. Lockhart, who was born on January 30, 1953. DNA reference testing confirmed the identity of the man as Lockhart.

Lockhart was a U.S. Marine veteran and served in Panama and the Vietnam War. He was reported missing, and his daughters searched for him for over a decade without success.

According to officials, the identification of Lockhart represents the 20th case in Mississippi where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram.