Key Takeaways
- The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit, together with the Medical Examiner’s Office and Othram Labs, identified three decedents whose cases had remained unsolved since 2005, 2011, and 2012.
- Advances in DNA profiling and forensic genetic genealogy were pivotal in restoring the men’s identities and providing families with long‑awaited closure.
- William Lewis Crummey was linked to a 2005 discovery inside a tractor‑trailer sleeper compartment after a sibling’s DNA matched the profile.
- William McClain, found in a wooded area in 2011, was identified through extended‑family genetic leads and a reference sample from a sibling.
- Cartis Jackson’s 2012 remains in Wimauma were confirmed in 2026 after genealogical research yielded a possible sibling DNA sample for comparison.
- Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the unit’s mission to preserve dignity and thanked all partners for their persistence in these investigations.
Overview of the Hillsborough County Cold Case Unit’s Recent Successes
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit announced a significant breakthrough in three long‑standing unidentified‑death investigations. By leveraging modern DNA technologies and collaborating with the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office and the private forensic genetic genealogy lab Othram, investigators were able to assign names to remains that had lain nameless for over a decade. This effort underscores the unit’s commitment to revisiting cold cases when new scientific tools become available, turning what once seemed like dead ends into solvable puzzles. The identifications not only provide answers to law‑enforcement officials but also restore a measure of dignity to the deceased and offer emotional relief to families who have endured years of uncertainty.
The Role of DNA Technology and Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) has transformed the landscape of cold‑case work by extending the reach of traditional DNA databases. When a DNA profile obtained from unidentified remains fails to match any entry in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), investigators can upload the profile to public genealogy platforms. By analyzing shared segments of DNA with distant relatives, genealogists can reconstruct family trees and pinpoint likely surnames or branches. In these three Hillsborough cases, FGG enabled detectives to move beyond a dead‑end CODIS search, identify potential relatives, and ultimately obtain voluntary DNA samples from close kin for direct comparison. The synergy between law‑enforcement resources and private‑sector expertise exemplifies how interdisciplinary approaches can revive investigations that have stalled for years.
Case One: William Lewis Crummey – 2005 Discovery in a Tractor‑Trailer Sleeper
On September 23, 2005, deputies responded to a call at American Used Truck Parts in the Palm River‑Clair Mel area after a dead man was discovered inside the sleeper compartment of a tractor‑trailer. The decedent was in an advanced state of decomposition, precluding visual identification at the scene. A DNA profile was generated from the remains and entered into CODIS, but no matches emerged, leaving the case cold for nearly two decades. The man’s disappearance had gone unnoticed by his family, who reported not having heard from him since early 2005. The lack of leads left investigators with only the biological evidence to pursue, setting the stage for a later genetic‑genealogical breakthrough.
Investigative Steps Leading to Crummey’s Identification in 2026
In 2025, the Hillsborough County Cold Case Unit reopened the Crummey investigation, partnering again with the Medical Examiner’s Office and enlisting Othram Labs to perform advanced DNA analysis. The lab refined the existing profile and submitted it to forensic genealogy databases, where it revealed connections to several distant relatives. Through careful tree building, investigators identified a likely sibling line and reached out to a living brother of William Lewis Crummey. A voluntary DNA sample from that sibling was obtained and directly compared to the profile from the remains. The match confirmed, on July 15, 2026, that the decedent was William Lewis Crummey, finally giving his family a name and the certainty they had sought for over twenty years.
Case Two: William McClain – 2011 Wooded‑Area Death Near Highland Manor Drive
February 7, 2011, brought a 911 call reporting a body in a wooded area near Highland Manor Drive and North Falkenburg Road in the East Lake‑Orient Park neighborhood. Deputies located the remains, and the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be natural. Despite thorough scene investigation and fingerprint attempts, the man could not be identified at the time. A DNA profile was later derived from the remains and entered into CODIS, yet again no matches appeared. The case languished, with investigators left to wonder who the man was and how he came to be in that secluded spot.
How Genealogical Analysis Solved the McClain Mystery
When the Cold Case Unit revisited the McClain file in 2025, analysts re‑examined the DNA profile using the latest forensic genetic genealogy techniques. Uploading the profile to public ancestry databases yielded several matches with individuals sharing common ancestors. By triangulating these matches, researchers constructed a partial family tree that pointed toward a specific lineage. Investigators then located a possible sibling of the deceased and requested a DNA sample for direct comparison. The subsequent laboratory analysis, completed on May 27, 2026, confirmed a genetic link, establishing the identity of the decedent as William McClain. The resolution brought closure to a family that had long wondered about the fate of their missing relative.
Case Three: Cartis Jackson – 2012 Remains Found in Wimauma
On September 21, 2012, deputies discovered a partially decomposed male body in a wooded area near the northwest corner of Bassa Street and North Street in Wimauma. The advanced state of decay hindered immediate identification, and despite efforts to gather fingerprints, dental records, and other biometric data, the man remained unknown. A DNA profile was generated from the remains and submitted to CODIS, which returned no hits. The case was subsequently shelved, leaving the man’s origins and personal history a mystery for over a decade.
Re‑opening the Jackson Case and Confirming Identity in 2026
In 2025, the Hillsborough County Cold Case Unit, together with the Medical Examiner’s Office and Othram Labs, revived the Jackson investigation. The DNA profile was re‑processed and submitted to forensic genealogy platforms, revealing several distant familial connections. Through meticulous genealogical mapping, investigators identified a plausible sibling line and reached out to a potential brother of Cartis Jackson. After securing a consent‑based DNA sample from that relative, comparative testing was performed. On June 1, 2026, the results showed a conclusive match, identifying the decedent as Cartis Jackson—a man born in Georgia in 1946 who had moved to Florida as an infant and had been estranged from his family since roughly 2005. The identification finally answered lingering questions about his life and demise.
Statements from Sheriff Chad Chronister and Partner Agencies
Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the collaborative effort, stating, “Part of our mission is preserving the dignity of everyone in this community, including those who can no longer speak for themselves. These identifications mean three men who were once nameless now have their identities restored, and their families finally have the closure they have waited years for.” He specifically thanked the Cold Case Unit detectives, the Medical Examiner’s Office staff, and the scientists at Othram Labs for their perseverance and expertise. Representatives from the Medical Examiner’s Office echoed the sentiment, highlighting how the integration of cutting‑edge DNA analysis with traditional investigative work can resolve cases that once seemed hopeless. Othram Labs emphasized the power of forensic genetic genealogy to bring names back to the unnamed, reinforcing the value of public‑private partnerships in modern law‑enforcement.
Impact on Families and Community Healing
For the families of William Lewis Crummey, William McClain, and Cartis Jackson, the announcements marked the end of a prolonged period of anguish and speculation. Knowing the fate of a loved one allows relatives to begin the grieving process, plan memorial services, and, in some cases, address lingering legal or financial matters. The broader Hillsborough County community also benefits from such resolutions; they reinforce public confidence that the sheriff’s office remains committed to solving crimes, no matter how much time has passed. Moreover, the successful use of forensic genetic genealogy may encourage other relatives to come forward with DNA samples, potentially aiding future investigations and creating a network of genetic vigilance that serves the public good.
Broader Implications for Cold‑Case Investigations Nationwide
The Hillsborough County successes illustrate a growing trend across the United States: law‑enforcement agencies are increasingly turning to forensic genetic genealogy to break through the barriers posed by degraded DNA and lack of CODIS hits. As more private labs offer genealogical services and as public databases expand, the pool of usable genetic leads widens. However, the technique also raises important ethical and privacy considerations, prompting agencies to develop clear protocols for consent, data security, and transparency. The Hillsborough model—where a sheriff’s office collaborates closely with a medical examiner and a vetted private lab—offers a template for balancing investigative efficacy with respect for individual rights.
Future Directions for the Hillsborough County Cold Case Unit
Building on this momentum, the Cold Case Unit plans to review additional unidentified‑death files that have viable DNA profiles but currently lack matches. Investigators will continue to refine their genealogical workflow, invest in training for detectives on interpreting genetic data, and maintain open communication channels with families who may provide reference samples. The unit also intends to engage with community outreach programs to educate the public about the benefits and safeguards of DNA sharing, fostering a supportive environment for future breakthroughs. By institutionalizing these practices, Hillsborough County aims to keep its cold‑case work at the forefront of forensic science, ensuring that even the oldest mysteries have a chance to be solved.