Human remains found in farm field in 1977 now identified, Arkansas officials say

Human remains found in a farm field 48 years ago have been identified, Arkansas officials said.

In January 1977, human remains were found in a farm field near Marianna, according to a Sept. 5 news release by the Arkansas Department of Public Safety.

Officials weren’t able to identify the remains at the time, and the manner of death could not be determined, the department said.

Then, in March 2024, the remains were submitted to Othram, a Texas-based lab that uses DNA and forensic genetic genealogy, officials said.

Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with “traditional genealogical methods” to create “family history profiles,” according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related.

In June, Othram identified the remains as Charles Howard Wallace after tracing two of his possible relatives to Tennessee and receiving DNA from one of them, officials said.

Wallace would have been 21 years old when his remains were found, officials said.

He last spoke to his family in fall 1974 and was in his late teens seeking treatment at a Memphis halfway house, officials said.

“This identification provides long-overdue answers for the family and highlights the commitment of Arkansas State Police to ensuring no case is forgotten,” Col. Mike Hagar said in the release. “We are grateful for the collaboration of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory and Othram Labs in moving this decades-old case forward.”

Marianna is about a 100-mile drive east from Little Rock.

This story was originally published September 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Human remains found in farm field in 1977 now identified, Arkansas officials say."