Nevada Coroner Identifies 1980s Murder Victim Found in Lake Mead Barrel

Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse announced Thursday that the human remains recovered from a barrel near Hemenway Harbor at Lake Mead have been identified as Edward Lelburian “Buddy” Jackson, who was in his mid- to late-50s at the time of his death. Police determined Jackson died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department homicide lieutenant Robert Price said Jackson was originally from Arkansas, lived in California with his wife in the early 1970s, and later resided in Utah where he had a criminal record in the early 1980s. "With these new developments, homicide detectives will continue to work diligently to solve his crime," Price said, adding thanks to the coroner’s office and forensic scientists for providing a name for the victim.

Jackson was married but had no known children. While some had speculated a possible link to organized crime, investigators have found no evidence to support that theory. Relatives confirmed Jackson was last seen visiting them in Arkansas in the early 1980s and that he had no known connections to the Las Vegas area.

The remains were found on May 1, 2022, alongside clothing and shoes typical of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Initial attempts to identify the victim stalled until DNA genealogy work began. After a series of analyses by the FBI laboratory, DNA Labs International, and Oklahoma State University, a compelling DNA match was confirmed in late 2025, leading to the identification.

Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, has experienced historically low water levels, with the lake’s elevation recorded at 1,037.8 feet above sea level in September, reflecting broader drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin.