La vittima del barile di Lake Mead, morto per un colpo di pistola, identificato come Edward "Buddy" Jackson, nativo dell'Arkansas

Authorities in the Las Vegas area confirmed the identity of a man found in a barrel submerged in Lake Mead in May 2022. The victim was Edward Lelburian Jackson, an Arkansas native who went by the nickname "Buddy." Jackson was shot in the head and died in the early 1980s, according to Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse, who announced the identification at a news conference on October 15, 2026. His remains were discovered on May 1, 2022, following a drop in Lake Mead’s water levels that exposed the barrel. Jackson was in his mid- to late 50s at the time of his death, based on the clothing he was wearing when he was placed in the barrel. Investigators initially estimated the time of death to be in the 1970s or 1980s due to the condition of his attire. His identity remained unknown until a facial composite created in 2023 was matched with a DNA sample through the Oklahoma State University School of Forensic Sciences. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Robert Price stated that while some speculated the killing might be linked to organized crime, there is currently no evidence supporting such theories. However, Price noted that the possibility of a mob connection has not been ruled out. Jackson was not a resident of Las Vegas, nor did he have known ties to the city. Instead, he traveled extensively, living in California and Utah before moving to Salt Lake City, where he faced charges for aggravated arson and conspiracy to commit fraud in the early 1980s. Family members indicated that Jackson was last seen in Arkansas in the early 1980s. They described him as someone who enjoyed traveling and had no known connections to Las Vegas. The lack of a missing person report delayed the identification process significantly. The discovery of Jackson’s remains came amid ongoing efforts to uncover human remains in Lake Mead, which has become a site for finding bodies due to receding water levels caused by prolonged drought conditions. Boaters first spotted the barrel at Hemenway Harbor in May 2022, prompting an investigation that led to the identification nearly five years later. Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse explained that the identification relied on a combination of forensic techniques, including a bone sample used for genealogical profiling, a composite image of Jackson’s face, and analysis of his clothing. These methods ultimately confirmed the remains belonged to Jackson. Despite the confirmation of his identity, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unresolved. Homicide detectives continue to seek additional information to determine how Jackson ended up in the barrel and whether there are any leads that could lead to solving the case. The identification brings closure to the family, but many questions about the victim’s final moments remain unanswered.