PHOTOS: These Georgia cold cases were all solved by 1 lab
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SOLVED: Mary Anga Cowan Othram DNA lab in Texas has helped solve dozens of cold cases in recent years. Here are the cases they've helped solve in Georgia.
In 1985, a woman was found unconscious on the side of the highway in Albany. She died at the hospital. In 2012, her remains were exhumed and a bone fragment was taken. In March 2022, Othram used DNA to identify her as Mary Anga Cowan, from Florida. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: In 1982, human remains were found in Stone Mountain. Investigators believed they had been there for up to 10 years. In 2021, the remains were sent to Othram, which was able to match them to her daughter. The victim was identified as Marlene Standridge. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Clara Reynolds In Feb. 1990, the skeletal remains of a woman were found in Heflin, Alabama. Investigators determined her cause of death was homicide. In 2023, she was identified by Othram as Clara Reynolds, of Georgia. Police have identified a suspect in her death but the investigation remains active. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Lola Bell Thomas In 2022, firefighters responded to a fire in northwest Atlanta. Two people, a man and a woman, were found dead inside. The M.E. was able to identify the man, but not the woman. She was identified by Othram through DNA as the 85-year-old homeowner, Lola Bell Thomas (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Harold Hammons The remains of a man were found severely decomposed in a vacant house in Atlanta in Jan. 2023. The man was identified by Othram through DNA as Harold Hammons. His manner of death was ruled as natural. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Rebecca "Becky" Burke In 1993, the skeletal remains of a woman were found covered in pine straw in DeKalb County. Investigators determined she may have been a victim of sexual assault and homicide. In 2022, the DeKalb M.E.'s office paired with Othram to identify her as Rebecca "Becky" Burke, from Cobb County. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Chong Un Kim The remains of a woman were found in a trash dumpster in 1988. She was wrapped with plastic and duct tape and found inside a large suitcase in Jenkins County. In 2023, Othram helped to s identify the victim as 26-year-old Chong Un Kim , of Liberty County. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Jonathan Foundling In 1996, the body of a newborn were found in a trashcan in a women's restroom in a UGA dorm. The M.E. determined the baby had been stabbed. In 2021, Othram used DNA testing to identify the mother as Kathryn Ann Grant, who took her own life in 2004. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Zachary Wells In Jan. 2022, the remains of a victim were found inside a burned home in Atlanta. The house did not have running water or electricity and was known to house transients. Othram was able to identify the victim as 59-year-old Zachary Wells. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Baby India In 2019, an infant with her umbilical cord still attached was found abandoned in the woods in Cumming. She survived and was named "Baby India" by her rescuers. In 2023, Othram used DNA evidence to identify the baby's mother as Karima Jiwani. She was arrested and charged with attempted murder, cruelty to children, aggravated assault and reckless abandonment. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Stacy Lyn Chahorski Othram Labs was able to help identify the remains of a homicide victim found in Georgia 1988. In 2022, she was identified through DNA as Stacy Lyn Chahorski. Investigators also found DNA evidence of the man suspected to be responsible for her death. He died in a car accident in 1999. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Jeremiah Garretson In 2019, a human body was found in a pond in Lenox, Georgia. In 2022, the GBI sent DNA evidence to Othram, which was able to help identify the man as Jeremiah Garretson. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
SOLVED: Yvonne Pless The remains of a woman were found 46 years ago in Macon. In 2022, the remains were sent to Othram labs, which was able to extract DNA. The victim was identified as 19-year-old Yvonne Pless. Investigators determined that Pless was prolific serial killer Samuel Little's first victim in 1977. (Othram Labs/DNA Solves)
