Human remains that were found in Lake Barkley in 1999 have been identified thanks to the help of advanced DNA technology with Kentucky State Police.
According to a news release, the remains were found on May 6, 1999 in Lake Barkley in Lyon County by two fishermen—the individual was wrapped in heavy tire chains and anchored with a hydraulic jack. At the time, investigators were unable to identify the victim due to traditional investigative techniques available.
Then, in 2016, the body was exhumed in the hopes that new technology could help make an identification, but efforts at the time remained unsuccessful. A profile for the remains was put into the National Missing and Unidentified Person System.
Then, in 2023, Kentucky State Police partnered with Othram Inc., a private forensic lab that specializes in forensic genealogy, which led to further testing of the remains and through the testing, a relative was located and allowed investigators to identify the remains as Roger Dale Parham.
Investigation has revealed that in 1999, Parham was residing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. At that time, Parham was awaiting trial on various criminal charges. In March of 1999, Parham disappeared and was thought to have left the area in an effort to flee prosecution. The FBI obtained additional charges for Mr. Parham and conducted an ongoing investigation into his whereabouts. Until now, Parham’s disappearance remained a mystery.
Roger Parham’s cause of death remains undetermined, however, due to the suspicious circumstances in which the remains were located; this case is being investigated as a homicide.