America's Crime Lab — “Unidentified and Waiting”

Podcast: America’s Crime Lab
Host: Aylin Lance Lesser (iHeartPodcasts & Kaleidoscope)
Episode Date: October 22, 2025

Brief Overview

This episode dives into the crisis of unidentified human remains in the United States, focusing on Mississippi’s daunting backlog of such cases. Featuring forensic anthropologist Anastasia Holobenko and others at Othram, the episode highlights how breakthroughs in DNA analysis and genetic genealogy are restoring names to people once considered lost forever. Through stories like the post-Katrina disappearance of Tonette Jackson and the decades-old mystery of Luther Ezell, the podcast explores the interplay of science, bureaucracy, and family in the search for resolution and justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem of Unidentified Remains

• Scope: Coroner’s offices across the U.S. house countless boxes of unidentified human remains, each representing a stalled investigation and the grief of families left searching ([02:12]).
• Systemic Issues: Traditional forensic methods—relying on skeletal measurements and limited DNA techniques—often fall short, leaving many cases unresolved for decades ([03:30]).

2. Forensic Anthropology and Othram’s New Approach

• Anastasia Holobenko's Journey: Originally interested in marine biology, Anastasia switched focus after taking a forensic anthropology course in college ([04:22]). Her fascination with the human skull—“that’s a person”—sparked a lifelong commitment to the field.
• Mississippi’s Backlog: Upon joining the Medical Examiner’s office in 2016, Anastasia encountered a massive backlog of over 40 unidentified remains cases ([05:14]).
• Othram's Technology: Othram’s advanced DNA sequencing examines tens of thousands of genetic markers, dramatically improving the odds of identification through genealogical comparison ([06:36]).
• Challenges: Many remains—including Katrina victims—had been subjected to harsh cleaning and environmental degradation, complicating DNA retrieval ([07:10], [07:52]).

3. Case Study: The Disappearance and Identification of Tonette Jackson

• Background: Tonette and Hardy Jackson were stranded by Hurricane Katrina; Tonette was swept away by a wave while Hardy clung to a tree, heart-wrenchingly letting her go with a promise to look after their kids ([08:39]).
• Emotional Coverage: The initial media interviews captured the trauma—“We ain’t got nowhere to go” ([09:45], Hardy Jackson).
• Recovery and Struggle: Weeks later, remains believed to be Tonette’s were found, but identification obstacles led to her being buried as a Jane Doe ([10:40]).
• Breakthrough:
  • Exhumation and Testing: Almost 19 years later, Anastasia initiated exhumations, and despite highly contaminated samples, Othram filtered out non-human DNA to finally confirm her identity ([14:22]).
  • Outcome: Tonette’s family received closure; Hardy, having passed away, never learned the truth ([15:12]).
• Quote:
  • “And so it came full circle.” — Anastasia Holobenko ([15:09])

4. Case Study: The Identification of Luther Ezell

• Discovery of Remains: Anastasia’s investigation led to the retrieval of remains from various university labs—some unidentified bodies had been out of state for years ([16:07]).
• Ezell’s Story:
  • Ezell, born in 1913, went missing on a trip in the 1980s, leaving behind six children. His family searched for decades ([17:15], [17:27]).
  • Genetic genealogy established his identity 32 years after his disappearance ([18:05]).
  • His daughters finally had closure, learning he hadn’t abandoned them but had died far from home ([18:17]).
• Quote:
  • “They know he didn’t stay away on purpose. They know where he is now.” — Aylin Lance Lesser ([18:39])

5. Ethical Reckonings: The Treatment of Unidentified Remains

• Teaching Specimens: Unidentified remains were sometimes retained in university collections for teaching—without proper consent or authorization ([21:58], [22:14]).
• Changing Attitudes: The rise of genetic technology prompts institutions to reassess old practices and return remains for possible identification ([24:01]).
• Quote:
  • “I had no idea that a body found without any ID might end up as a classroom tool.” — Aylin Lance Lesser ([22:05])

6. Hope and Progress Amid Continuing Backlog

• Growing Submissions: Othram’s success has led to more cases being submitted, with the backlog increasing—not due to neglect, but because of renewed hope ([24:01]).
• Legislative Attention: Anastasia testifies before state legislatures, advocating for investments in identification efforts ([25:59]).
• Quote:
  • “It really is just, it's moving forward one name at a time.” — Anastasia Holobenko ([25:25])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Bones, they're not really viewed as people because they don't have soft tissue. They're not visually recognizable as a human. And then sometimes the investigation is not prioritized.”
  — Anastasia Holobenko ([03:30])

• “The explanation that, well, we don't have advanced technology so we can't identify this person, so why even try... nowadays, many practitioners or professors, they've changed their outlook over the years.”
  — Anastasia Holobenko ([23:27])

• “There are thousands, tens of thousands of unidentified human remains cases. It can become so overwhelming… but it really is just, it's moving forward one name at a time.”
  — Anastasia Holobenko ([25:25])

• “Money.”
  — Kristin Mittleman, on the primary obstacle to solving cases ([05:44])

• “You either get used to [the smell] completely or you don’t. And it’s something that I still am struck by the fact that I haven’t completely gotten used to it.”
  — Anastasia Holobenko ([04:56])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:12] – Introduction to the Mississippi unidentified remains crisis
• [03:30] – Humanizing bones & forensic anthropology’s challenges
• [05:14] – Othram’s technological advances and funding hurdles
• [06:36] – Advanced DNA analysis explained
• [07:10] – Challenges with degraded Katrina victim remains
• [08:39] – Story of Tonette and Hardy Jackson’s ordeal
• [10:40] – Discovery and attempts to identify Jane Doe (Tonette)
• [14:22] – Othram overcomes sample contamination to solve the case
• [15:09] – Case comes full circle; news for the family
• [16:07] – Remains lost in university storage
• [17:15] – Identification of Luther Ezell and family’s long search
• [21:58] – Unidentified remains used as teaching tools
• [24:01] – Institutional reckoning and the push for change
• [25:25] – Closing thoughts: hope and determination “one name at a time”

Conclusion

“Unidentified and Waiting” highlights both the heartbreak and hope embedded in the work of forensic identification. The episode weaves together scientific innovation, personal stories, and ethical questions, demonstrating that—with new tools and relentless advocates—lost loved ones can finally come home, even decades after they first vanished.