Baldwin County Cold Case Victim Identified After Decades Through DNA Technology

Baldwin County Sheriff's Office officials announced a major breakthrough Wednesday in a decades-old homicide case, identifying human remains discovered more than 30 years ago along a rural stretch of State Highway 225.

Sheriff Anthony Lowery said the identification marks the first real opportunity to move the investigation forward since the remains were originally discovered in 1994.

Remains Found in 1994 Identified as Texas Man

On January 8, 1994, a person walking in a wooded area south of Interstate 65 discovered partial skeletal remains off Highway 225 in a remote part of Baldwin County. The remains were ruled a homicide by the medical examiner's office.

For decades, the victim was known only by a case number.

Investigators now say the remains belong to James Carol Jackson, a Texas man believed to have been killed years before his body was discovered.

Authorities estimate Jackson likely died around 1988 or 1989, based on evidence recovered at the scene.

The skeletal remains of James Carol Jackson was discovered in a rural area off Highway 225, just south of Interstate 65, in January of 1994.

Baldwin County Cold Case Breakthrough Came Through Forensic Genetic Genealogy

The case was reopened in 2023 by Captain Clint Cadenhead, who began working the investigation prior to his retirement and now assists with cold cases.

Using forensic investigative genetic genealogy, investigators submitted DNA evidence through the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to Othram, a private lab specializing in advanced DNA analysis.

The testing process took approximately 10 months and ultimately led to Jackson's identification in April 2026.

"This is information we normally wouldn't release in a homicide case," Cadenhead said, noting the department is sharing more details than usual in hopes of generating new leads.

Who Was James Carol Jackson?

Jackson was born in Groveton, Texas, and was last seen in 1987 in Alto, Texas. He told family members he planned to travel to Alabama for work, possibly as part of a road crew.

Investigators believe he may have been in the Mobile area during the expansion of Interstate 65 between Government Street and Airport Boulevard, working as a structural welder, also known as a "rod buster."

Jackson was believed to be in his late 40s or early 50s at the time.

He was a U.S. Marine who served after the Korean War era and was described by investigators as nonviolent and easygoing.

Family members reported that Jackson stopped communicating about a year after leaving Texas. His wife continued searching for him until her death.

Key Identifying Details

Investigators highlighted several distinguishing characteristics and items found with Jackson:

• Missing upper left lateral incisor

• Heavy smoker who used an inhaler

• Often wore western-style clothing

• Known to carry a firearm

Items recovered at the scene included:

• A trucker hat reading "American by Birth. Texan by the Grace of God."

• A long-sleeved western shirt

• A welding torch tip

• An inhaler

• A Casio digital watch

• Prescription bifocal glasses

• A mechanical pen and pencil

Additional evidence was recovered but has not been publicly disclosed.

Missing Vehicle Could Be Key

Authorities are also searching for a vehicle Jackson was believed to be driving when he left Texas:

• Late 1970s to early 1980s Chevrolet Camaro

• Texas license plate

• White interior

• No spoiler

• CB antenna mounted on the rear

• Vehicle described as being in rough condition

Investigators say it is possible the car was towed at some point by law enforcement or a private party.

Call for Public Assistance

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with information about James Carol Jackson, his time in Alabama, or the vehicle he was driving to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office 251-937-0202 or Cold Case Investigator Clint Cadenhead 251-972-8589 Option 7.