DNA tech advancements : “Body Found in Montgomery County Identified as Clarence Lynn Wilson, Victim of 37-Year-Old Homicide”

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – After 37 years, the body of a man found in Montgomery County has finally been identified as the victim of a homicide. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office revealed that on August 3, 1986, several individuals near Crater Lake in the Conroe area discovered a body partially submerged in the water. Authorities responded to the scene and determined that the man had died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Despite efforts in 1986, the body remained unidentified. Described as a man between 20 and 30 years old, approximately five foot, six inches tall, and weighing 133 pounds, he had collar length reddish-brown hair, decaying teeth, and several tattoos. The body was dressed in men’s blue denim jeans, a brown short-sleeve shirt, and white athletic socks.

In 2015, the cold case detectives of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office exhumed the remains to obtain DNA for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). However, this did not lead to an identification. In May 2023, the remains were exhumed for a second time to obtain additional DNA for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). The Othram Lab in The Woodlands successfully obtained more DNA and conducted a genealogy assessment, which led to the identification of a possible family member in California.

After contacting the family member, local law enforcement obtained a DNA sample, which was submitted to the Othram Lab. In October 2023, the lab issued a report confirming the familial match between the unknown remains and the family member in California. The body has now been identified as that of Clarence Lynn Wilson, born on February 18, 1952, with a last known address in Texas City.

The investigation into Wilson’s death is still ongoing, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Squad urges anyone with information to come forward. If you have any details about Clarence or the case, please contact the Cold Case Squad at 936-760-5820 or Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP [7867].

The identification of the body brings a long-awaited breakthrough in this cold case, providing closure for Wilson’s family and potentially leading to progress in the homicide investigation.