Human remains that were discovered over 20 years ago near an interstate in Knoxville, Tennessee have finally been identified, as announced by the Knox County government. The individual has been confirmed to be Brian A. Sanderson, a native of Vermont who was 54 years old when he passed away, according to Chris Thomas, the administrator of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. Details regarding how long Sanderson had been in Tennessee and the cause of his death have not been disclosed.
The remains of Sanderson were first found on November 30, 2003, near an Interstate-275 entrance ramp by a passerby, according to a social media post from Knox County. Following the initial discovery, the Knoxville Police Department and a team of anthropologists from the University of Tennessee collaborated on the recovery and examination of the remains. Subsequent advancements in DNA testing and forensic techniques led to ongoing efforts to identify the individual. In 2008, a DNA sample was submitted to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, and in 2017, the Regional Forensic Center took over the investigation, determining that the remains belonged to a white male of approximately 5 feet tall and aged between 40 and 60 years.
In 2022, utilizing a federal grant, Knox County enlisted the services of Othram, a private company specializing in using DNA analysis and genealogy to solve cold cases. Ultimately, Othram successfully identified the remains as belonging to Brian A. Sanderson. Chris Thomas expressed dedication to the ongoing work of identifying decedents and reuniting them with their families, regardless of how much time has passed. Thomas emphasized the importance of providing closure to the families of the deceased individuals in a social media post.
