Murder victim identified 43 years later in North Carolina
A program headed by a forensic anthropologist from North Carolina State University gave Chatham County investigators a significant boost to a cold case from 1981: The name of their victim.
Alexander Brown Jr.’s family reported him missing in 1978 from Baltimore.
The North Carolina Unidentified Project and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office identified Brown 43 years to the date from when his missing person report got filed. The agencies used a DNA link with a family member of Brown, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Sara Pack was in the room when forensic genealogist Leslie Kaufman revealed the DNA link.
“The excitement in the room was palpable,” Pack said in the release. “It was incredible to finally have a fresh lead after hitting so many dead ends.
“Hearing Leslie [Kaufman] announce his name was an emotional moment for all of us, especially as we imagined Brown’s family and the prospect of providing them with some semblance of closure after 43 years.”
Brown’s identification is the fifth victim the Project has positively identified so far.
“I have worked on criminal cases all over the country, but cases involving unidentified bodies really speak to my heart,” Kaufman said. “These men and women deserve to have their names known and their stories told.
“That’s what drives me to do what I do.”
A medical examination later confirmed Kaufman’s findings.
Investigators stress that this does not mean the investigation into Brown’s death is over.
“Identifying the victim has given us a new launch point and fresh leads to follow,” said Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson. “We are endlessly grateful for all of the hard work and partnerships that led to this amazing revelation! We are hopeful that such technology will lead to similar breakthroughs in other unsolved cases.”
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office is asking other members of the public to partner in the search for answers surrounding Brown’s disappearance and untimely death.
“Leslie [Kaufman] and Dr. Ann Ross of the NC Unidentified Project are providing an incredible service to law enforcement agencies and families of victims throughout the state,” Pack said. “They are brilliant at what they do, and we are excited to continue partnering with them in the future.
“Thankfully, Alexander Brown, Jr.’s name has been returned to him, and his family can finally cease their search for him… but our pursuit of justice isn’t over.”
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this case, including Brown’s disappearance or murder, is asked to call the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office at 919-542-2911.
