Through persistence, and multiple evidence reassessments, the Columbia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office has solved a nearly 50-year-old cold case, restoring a man’s name and bringing peace and closure to his family.
On Nov. 24, 1978, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found in a wooded area near a rest stop on Interstate 75 in Lake City, Florida. Officers responded and began collecting evidence and investigating. A small bit of clothing was found near the remains, which were scattered and partially buried under soil and pine needles.
The remains were transferred to Florida State University for examination, but no cause of death was named and no identify could be verified. The remains were placed in storage for nearly two decades.
Then, in 1996, a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
crime scene technician re-discovered remains while reviewing evidence for destruction, prompting a renewed investigation. The remains were then sent to renowned forensic anthropologist William Maples at the University of Florida.
Maples’ examination revealed more information than ever before: the man was white, about 5” 9’ tall, 35 to 35 years old at the time of death, likely walked with a limp and showed signs of a physically demanding life, including arthritis, a fractire in his right foot, plevis and a herniated disk in his back.
“We knew who he was in body, but we still did not know his name,” said Columbia County Sheriff Wallace Kitchings.
In 2001, the FBI did a facial reconstruction from the skull and analyzed mitochondrial DNA, but still no identification.
In 2010, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detectives renewed investigative efforts again. Dental records were entered in the national crime database, the case was submitted to NAMUS, DNA was submitted to CODIS and every lead was investigated—but still, nothing.
In February 2024, a sergeant was reassigned the case and located the skull, which had went missing over the years. He submitted the remains to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for advanced DNA testing. The lab obtained a partial DNA profile consistent with a male.
Thanks to a government DNA grant, FDLE then sent a DNA sample to Othram for analysis.
In January 2026, Othram extracted a profile from the DNA, identified genetic relatives, built a family tree and finally found a name—Lonnie Reeves. Genealogical research identified a potential sister, who offered a reference sample. She reported she had not seen her brother since 1970 and never knew what became of him. Lonnie’s sister also confirmed he was a cowboy, which matches the physical profile Maple gave of the remains. The sister’s reference sample matched the descendant, officially confirming the remains to be Lonnie Reeves.
Investigators then concluded Lonnie’s death was nothing nefarious—a natural death.
“To the family, we are sorry for your loss. We are sorry for how long this has taken. No family should have to spend decades not knowing what happened to their loved one. We cannot undue that time, but we can hope today brings some measure of peace to you,” said Kitchings.