KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Authorities have confirmed the identification of human remains discovered in North Knoxville in 2022, marking a significant development in the investigation of the cold case.
The remains were found on August 16, 2022, in a wooded area near the Fourth and Gill neighborhood. Initial examinations suggested the remains belonged to a white woman, estimated to be between 30 and 50 years old and measuring between 4′10″ and 5′5″ tall.
Despite the grim discovery, the woman’s identity remained unknown for several months, until March 2023, when the Knox County Regional Forensic Center enlisted the help of Othram, a private company specializing in cold case investigations through DNA analysis and forensic genealogy.
Using Forensic Genetic Genealogy, a cutting-edge technique that connects DNA to familial lineages, Othram worked with the forensic center to uncover the identity of the deceased. After an exhaustive investigation, the remains were confirmed to be those of Erin C. Callahan, a Knoxville resident.
Chris Thomas, the chief administrative officer of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, expressed his gratitude for the team’s dedication. “The Knox County Regional Forensic Center is grateful for its hardworking team that doesn’t quit working for the unidentified,” Thomas said. “We want the families to have closure.”
The identification of Callahan provides a sense of closure for her family, who had been anxiously waiting for answers. However, the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
This case underscores the growing importance of DNA analysis and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and bringing closure to grieving families. With advancements in technology, law enforcement agencies are increasingly able to solve cases that have gone unsolved for years, providing justice and answers to those who need it most.
