Clark County officials and Las Vegas police identified the man found in a barrel at Lake Mead in 2022 as Edward 'Buddy' Jackson of Arkansas during a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. The identification, achieved through forensic genealogy and a social media clue, resolves a years-long mystery involving a victim discovered at Hemenway Harbor after receding water levels exposed the remains.
Identification of the Victim
The victim, who went by the nickname 'Buddy', was believed to be in his mid-to-late 50s at the time of his death. According to Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse, the man died from a gunshot wound to the head, and the death has been ruled a homicide. Authorities believe the crime occurred sometime in the early 1980s, a timeline supported by the clothing and footwear found with the remains.
Discovery at Lake Mead
The body was first discovered by boaters on May 1, 2022, at Hemenway Harbor at Lake Mead. As first reported by News 3, the grim discovery was made possible because declining water levels in the reservoir had exposed the barrel. Investigators determined that the victim had been shot in the head, sealed inside the drum, and then dumped into the lake, where the remains stayed for decades.
The Investigation Timeline
The identification process involved a multi-agency effort spanning several years. In September 2022, the coroner's office requested assistance from the FBI to create three composite facial angles of Jackson. These images, along with photographs of his clothing, were uploaded to NamUs, a national database for missing and unidentified persons. This effort followed the initial discovery but preceded the successful DNA matching.
Forensic Breakthrough
The breakthrough came through advanced forensic science. In early 2024, a bone sample was sent to DNA International for genealogy profiling, which provided a possible match. The Clark County coroner's office then engaged the Forensic Sciences Department at Oklahoma State University to conduct further profiling. Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of the School of Forensic Sciences at Oklahoma State University, explained that scientists used a whole-genome sequencer to convert the physical substance into a digital file that could be tested against genealogy websites.
The Role of Social Media
Scientists at Oklahoma State University were able to track Jackson's lineage by testing DNA against profiles from genealogy websites, eventually locating family members of both his mother and father. This scientific progress was confirmed when researchers discovered a social media post made by a family member regarding Jackson's disappearance. This digital clue helped investigators verify that the person identified through DNA was indeed the man from the barrel.
Background and Criminal Record
Metro Lt. Robert Price stated that while investigators have not ruled out theories of organized crime, they currently have no evidence to support the idea that the homicide was related to the mob. Jackson had ties to California and Utah, and records show he was married and living in California in the early 1970s. He also had a criminal record in Salt Lake City from the early 1980s for aggravated arson and conspiracy to commit fraud.
