Detective notifies niece of victim who had family in North Carolina

Detectives pursue DNA evidence to solve identity of victim

Detective seeks information to solve homicide

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office helped North Carolina family members learn what happened to a relative who disappeared 47 years ago, spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni reported Oct. 6.

The sheriff's office recently identified the relative as Jessie Lee Williamson, 52, after more than 11 years of extensive DNA testing, Detective Sgt. Richard Brinkley said in the news release from Marchesoni.

"He’s been without a name to us for 47 years,” Brinkley said in the news release. “We no longer have a John Doe.”

A maintenance worker found the body of Williamson Aug. 1, 1978 at Poole Knobs Recreation Area on Jones Road nea

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