MS SR25

Commends Carla Davis, Chief Genetic Genealogist at Othram, Inc., for using genetic genealogy and forensic technology to identify victims in unsolved Mississippi murder cases.

Davis has brought resolution to 18 Mississippi families by funding forensic genetic testing, with 3 cases solved and 1 pending DNA confirmation from 8 cases she fully or partially funded.

Notable identifications include Kimberly Funk (Vancleave Jane Doe, missing since 1991), Anderson Bolls (remains found in 2020), and Clara Birdlong (Escatawpa Jane Doe, unidentified for 44 years).

Davis plans to fund genetic genealogy testing for all approximately 60 unidentified remains cases in Mississippi involving DNA evidence before expanding to other states.

Resolution acknowledges Davis's mission to give unidentified remains their names back and recognizes her philanthropic efforts have inspired similar projects in Nevada, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, and California.