Identified Remains of Fugitive Found Chained to Lake Bottom

Nearly a quarter century after fishermen discovered a body chained to the bottom of a lake in western Kentucky, authorities say advanced forensic testing helped identify the remains as a fugitive wanted by the FBI in the late 1990s.

The remains were identified as Roger Dale Parham, who disappeared in March 1999 while awaiting trial for various criminal charges in Arkansas, where he lived, the Kentucky State Police said in a news release. It was assumed when he went missing that Parham had fled the area to avoid prosecution, so the FBI later brought additional charges against him and opened a probe into his whereabouts.

"Until now, Parham's disappearance remained a mystery," police said Monday.

Parham was arrested the November before his disappearance for rape involving a minor, according to the FBI. He was released on bond with conditions, but the bond was revoked after he failed to appear in court, the bureau said.

Body Found in Lake Barkley

On May 6, 1999, two fishermen made a grim discovery in Lake Barkley, located on the western border of Kentucky and Tennessee. The body of an unidentified man, later determined to be a White male between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall, was found wrapped in heavy tire chains and anchored to the bottom of the lake with a hydraulic jack.

Despite efforts to identify the remains, the technology available at the time proved insufficient. A forensic composite was created and released to the public in the hopes of generating leads, but the man's identity remained a mystery.

In 2013, authorities decided to exhume the body, hoping that advancements in DNA testing, dental exams, and forensic pathology would provide answers. Unfortunately, these modern methods were also unsuccessful in identifying the man.

At the time of his discovery, the man was wearing a white t-shirt with a "No Fear Sports Bar" logo on the front and a "No Fear Gear" logo on the back. He was also dressed in a Dallas Cowboys nylon jacket, a green Reebok jacket, jeans, a black leather belt, and tennis shoes.

For more information about this cold case, visit the DNASolves website.

After an extensive investigation, the body of Parham has finally been identified in early 2023. Kentucky State Police joined forces with Othram Inc., a specialized private forensic laboratory that focuses on forensic genealogy. Through advanced genealogy DNA tests and collaboration with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, investigators were able to locate a relative whose DNA matched samples taken from the body, leading to the identification of Parham.

The exact cause of Parham's death remains unknown at this time. However, Kentucky State Police has classified the case as a homicide due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery of the remains.