The remains of a man found in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1989 have been identified as Ernest Emerson Carter, according to an announcement by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Franklin County Coroner Dr. Nate Overmire. The identification was made possible through forensic genealogy and collaboration between public agencies and private organizations.
Attorney General Yost highlighted the collaborative nature of the investigation. “Solving a cold case takes teamwork, technology and tenacity – all of which were are on display in this case,” Yost said. “This type of public-private partnership has a direct impact on so many and brings real results to loved ones.”
Carter’s skeletal remains were discovered on November 3, 1989, on Walcutt Road in western Franklin County. Born in 1923, little is known about Carter’s life or the circumstances surrounding his death.
Dr. Overmire emphasized the importance of dignity for unidentified individuals: “We believe each person is worthy of dignity and respect,” Overmire said. “Our patients can no longer advocate for themselves so we must on their behalf. I am extremely proud of the compassionate, talented staff who worked on this case from my office, BCI and our community partners. Together, we were able to utilize science to solve a mystery.”
Investigators from the coroner’s office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which operates under Yost’s office, had been working to identify the remains for decades. In 2000, BCI received the remains as part of Project LINK—an initiative that collects DNA samples from unidentified human remains and families with missing relatives—but initial efforts did not yield any leads.
Over subsequent years, additional DNA testing was conducted without success. In 2024, The Porchlight Project—a nonprofit that supports forensic genealogy for missing persons cases—funded new testing by Othram, a Texas-based forensic technology company.
Val Bogart, genetic genealogist with The Porchlight Project, acknowledged those involved: “I am grateful to Ohio BCI, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, and Othram for their collaboration and dedication throughout the process of solving this decades-old mystery,” Bogart said. “I am hopeful the identification of Mr. Carter brings long-awaited answers and a step toward closure for all involved.”
Genealogists worked with BCI’s Criminal Intelligence Unit to construct a family tree that led them to a close male relative whose DNA confirmed Carter’s identity.
Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram, noted advances in technology: “There is technology here today that works, and it is able to give answers to a lot of families, like in this case,” Mittelman said. “We’re proud to work with law enforcement who are working every day to solve cases and help families.”
