Body found in barrel in Lake Mead identified as Arkansas man after DNA testing, Las Vegas authorities say

Lake Mead barrel victim identified through DNA testing

Earthguardiansonline.com – A Body found in barrel in Lake Mead has been identified as Edward Lelburian Jackson, an Arkansas man known as “Buddy,” Las Vegas authorities said. The remains were discovered in 2022 after receding water exposed a corroded barrel along the reservoir’s shoreline.

Investigators believe Jackson was in his 50s when he was killed, likely in the early 1980s. Authorities determined that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

While the identification answers a decades-old question about the victim, detectives are still investigating how Jackson, who had no known connection to Las Vegas, ended up inside a barrel beneath Lake Mead.

Falling water revealed the barrel

A visitor discovered the barrel in May 2022 as drought and water shortages caused Lake Mead’s shoreline to recede. The container had deteriorated over time, exposing decomposed human remains inside.

The case drew national attention as historically low water levels revealed long-hidden objects around the nation’s largest human-made reservoir. Jackson’s remains were the first of four sets of human remains recovered near Lake Mead that year.

The three other sets of remains were later identified through DNA testing and investigative work. The Body found in barrel in Lake Mead, however, presented particularly difficult forensic challenges because the remains had been submerged for decades.

Authorities initially estimated that the killing occurred between the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Clothing found with the remains helped establish that timeline, including light-blue jeans with a Vidal Sasson-style pocket design, a striped short-sleeved button-down shirt, size 11 Velcro shoes and a silver Timex watch.

“If you were to go back 40 years ago, where the victim was found was probably about half a mile to a mile offshore,” Las Vegas police Lt. Ray Spencer said in 2022.

By the time the barrel was found, the location had become exposed shoreline as Lake Mead’s water level declined.

Forensic genealogy helped identify Jackson

Traditional DNA analysis can be difficult when remains have been underwater for many years, and Jackson did not have a direct DNA profile in law-enforcement databases. The FBI laboratory in Quantico created a composite image of the victim’s face, which authorities released publicly in 2023.

A bone sample produced a possible family connection in early 2024, though it was not close enough to confirm the victim’s identity. The case advanced after forensic scientists at Oklahoma State University developed a stronger genealogical lead.

Detectives sent a DNA packet to a person believed to be related to the victim, and the testing confirmed that the man was Jackson. Authorities said he had traveled around the country, had previously faced criminal charges in Utah and was last known to have visited relatives in Arkansas in the early 1980s.

Police find no evidence of organized-crime ties

The discovery led to widespread speculation about possible organized-crime connections because of Las Vegas’ history. Police said the evidence does not support those theories.

“I know there’s been speculation in the past that the homicide had ties to an organized criminal group,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Lt. Robert Price said. “However, at this point of our investigation, we don’t have any information to support those theories.”

Identifying the Body found in barrel in Lake Mead gives investigators a clearer basis for examining Jackson’s movements, relationships and final known whereabouts. The homicide investigation remains unresolved.

Lake Mead barrel case FAQ

When was the body in the Lake Mead barrel found?

The barrel was found in May 2022, after low water levels exposed part of the Lake Mead shoreline.

Who was identified as the victim?

Authorities identified the victim as Edward Lelburian Jackson, an Arkansas man also known as “Buddy.”

Has anyone been arrested in the case?

Authorities had not announced an arrest. Detectives continue to investigate Jackson’s death and the circumstances that brought him to Lake Mead.

Was the case connected to organized crime?

Las Vegas police said they have no information supporting a link between Jackson’s killing and an organized criminal group.