Crime & Justice
Police identify man found in barrel in Lake Mead as Edward Lelburian Jackson
October 16, 2026 at 02:29 AM
Coverage
3 reports · over 10 hours
BNBBC News
US police identify remains of man found in barrel in shrinking reservoir
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Police reveal identity of man found in a barrel in drought-stricken Lake Mead
(opens the publisher’s site)
CNCNN
Las Vegas police to announce identity of body found in barrel in Lake Mead
(opens the publisher’s site)Las Vegas authorities have identified the man found stuffed in a barrel in drought-stricken Lake Mead in 2022 as Edward Lelburian Jackson.
- Coroner Melanie Rouse publicly identified the remains as Edward Lelburian Jackson, also known as "Buddy," at a Thursday press conference.
- Rouse said Oklahoma State University forensics researchers confirmed the identity with a DNA sample from Jackson and a believed family member.
- Police Lt Robert Price said detectives found no ties linking Jackson to Las Vegas and no evidence supporting speculation of organized-crime involvement.
- Authorities determined Jackson was killed by a single gunshot to the head between the mid-1970s and early 1980s.