Key Points

• Historic Breakthrough: After nearly six decades, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office has identified Myrtle Holcomb as the victim in North Carolina’s oldest cold case, solved through forensic genealogy.
• Victim Details: Born in 1919, Holcomb was a married mother of two traveling from Florida to Raleigh when she vanished. Her family assumed she had died naturally after losing contact.
• Suspect Identified: Robert Reagan emerged as a prime suspect in 2004 based on witness statements, but his death in the 1990s prevented prosecution.
• Forensic Innovation: A preserved hair sample analyzed using cutting-edge DNA technology allowed genealogists to reconstruct Holcomb’s family tree and confirm her identity.
• Broader Impact: This case exemplifies law enforcement’s persistence and the power of modern science in bringing closure to families affected by long-unsolved crimes.

The Case Overview

After 57 years of unanswered questions, a decades-old mystery in Wake County, North Carolina, has finally been solved. Authorities confirmed that the woman found burned in a field in 1968 was Myrtle Holcomb, marking one of the most significant breakthroughs in North Carolina’s criminal history.

The case remained cold for more than half a century until modern DNA analysis and forensic genealogy brought justice to light, showing that even the oldest cases can be revived with scientific perseverance.

The Discovery and Initial Investigation

On April 28, 1968, deputies responded to a grisly discovery near Ten Ten Road and Lake Wheeler Road—the charred remains of a woman burned beyond recognition. Despite multiple leads and a facial reconstruction, investigators were unable to determine her identity.

Neighbors recalled seeing a woman walking in the area before her death, but no one knew who she was. Pathologists estimated her age at about 35, and with no identification or personal belongings, the investigation quickly hit a dead end.

A Suspect Emerges: The Robert Reagan Connection

In 2004, new witness testimony reignited the case. Witnesses linked Robert Reagan, a Raleigh resident, to the crime scene and recalled him possessing an identification card bearing the name “Holcomb.” Authorities believed Reagan had information about the victim’s disappearance, but since he had died in the 1990s, no charges could ever be filed.

Though Reagan’s family disputed the allegations, investigators kept the case open, determined to identify the victim and deliver closure to her loved ones.

The Forensic Breakthrough That Changed Everything

The turning point came in 2024, when detectives submitted a 57-year-old hair sample—preserved in an evidence locker since 1968—to Astrea Forensics, a DNA lab renowned for its advanced extraction techniques.

Using this sample, forensic genealogist Leslie Kaufman built a family tree of over 4,000 individuals through databases such as GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA. After months of analysis, the DNA results led directly to Holcomb’s surviving relatives, confirming her identity in September 2023.

This marked the oldest cold case in North Carolina solved through forensic genealogy, proving that even minimal evidence can yield profound results with today’s technology.

Who Was Myrtle Holcomb?

Born in 1919, Myrtle Holcomb was a wife and mother of two who had lost contact with her family while traveling from Florida to North Carolina. Her relatives assumed she had died of natural causes decades earlier.

Upon learning of her tragic fate, Holcomb’s family requested privacy but expressed gratitude to investigators for their persistence. Kaufman, who identified Holcomb, said,

“It’s incredible to bring answers to a family after so many years. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s also a form of justice.”

Justice, Technology, and Closure

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office hailed the resolution as a historic milestone, emphasizing that no case is ever truly closed. Sheriff’s Sgt. Kenneth Kay stated:

“This case demonstrates the power of never giving up. For generations, we’ve held onto the hope of identifying this woman—and now we can finally say her name: Myrtle Holcomb.”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) supported the process, providing over $10,000 in funding for advanced testing. SBI Director Chip Hawley highlighted,

“These tests are expensive, but what they give back to the victims and their families is priceless.”

Timeline of Key Events

Conclusion

The identification of Myrtle Holcomb after 57 years stands as a landmark achievement in forensic genealogy, reaffirming that justice can transcend time. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office and its partners have proven that even the smallest piece of evidence—like a single strand of hair—can bring peace to families and rewrite history.