Opelika police exhume remains in 1990 cold case, seek public’s help identifying victim
The Opelika Police Department has renewed its investigation into a decades-old homicide case, exhuming the remains of an unidentified victim in hopes that modern forensic technology can finally reveal his identity.
Image: Opelika PD
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, investigators, working alongside forensic experts, exhumed the remains of a young man buried as “John Doe” at Evergreen Cemetery. The effort is part of a push to apply advanced genetic genealogy techniques to a case that has remained unsolved for more than 30 years.
Case Background
The case dates back to September 22, 1990, when the body of a young Black male was discovered in a creek bed off Anderson Road, about a tenth of a mile from Interstate 85 in Opelika.
An autopsy later conducted in Montgomery determined the victim died from a single gunshot wound, ruling the death a homicide. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, detectives were unable to match the victim to any missing persons reports. He was ultimately laid to rest as an unidentified individual.
Investigators said the victim is believed to have been between 18 and 25 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing between 135 and 145 pounds. At the time of his death, he was wearing a white St. Louis Cardinals jersey-style shirt with red pinstripes, Jordache blue jeans, and black Ellesse shoes.
New Hope Through DNA Technology
Police say advances in investigative genetic genealogy now offer renewed hope in identifying the victim and generating new leads.
Image: Opelika PD
“We are hopeful that advanced DNA testing can help us identify our John Doe and bring additional leads in this case,” said Police Chief Johnathan Clifton. “We saw how genealogy was able to solve our Baby Jane Doe case and are hopeful to bring closure to this man’s family.”
The department is working with several partners in the effort, including the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Auburn University VCOM, Troy University School of Social Sciences, Opelika ESG, the Lee County Coroner’s Office, and the Lee County District Attorney’s Office.
Call for Information
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the case to come forward, emphasizing that even minor details could prove critical when combined with new forensic evidence.
Image: Opelika PD
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Opelika Police mobile app.
Additional details about the case are available on the City of Opelika’s official website.
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