After almost two decades, the remains of a woman who died during Hurricane Katrina have been identified through modern forensic tests. Tonette Waltman Jackson, 46, was swept away by floodwaters that split her home in Biloxi, Mississippi, during the devastating hurricane in August 2005. She had been hiding in the attic with her husband, Hardy Jackson, who survived by clinging to a nearby tree. Despite search efforts at the time, her body was not found until recently.
In September 2005, about a week after Katrina hit, a team discovered remains between two destroyed homes in St. Martin, miles away from Biloxi. Basic characteristics were determined, such as being a Black woman in her fifties and around 5 feet tall, but her identity remained unknown. The remains were buried with a headstone reading “Jane (Love)” in Pascagoula. It was not until May 2024 that modern forensic techniques allowed authorities to identify Tonette Waltman Jackson.
After years of uncertainty, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the State Medical Examiner’s Office collaborated with Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy company, to exhume the body and conduct DNA testing. Through genetic genealogy, potential relatives were identified, leading to the confirmation of Jackson’s identity with a DNA sample provided by her family. This breakthrough came after years of investigative efforts, including a missed lead from a video interview with Hardy Jackson shortly after the hurricane.
The use of forensic genome sequencing and genetic genealogy has transformed the field of cold case investigations, allowing authorities to solve cases that were once unsolvable. In the case of Tonette Waltman Jackson, these modern techniques finally provided closure to her family almost two decades after her tragic death during Hurricane Katrina. The identification of Jackson’s remains highlights the importance of ongoing efforts and advancements in forensic technology to bring closure to families of missing persons and victims of natural disasters.
The long process of identifying Tonette Waltman Jackson serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of tragic events like Hurricane Katrina and the importance of remembering those who were lost. Through the dedication of law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, and genetic genealogy companies, cases like Jackson’s can find resolution and provide closure to families. The story of Jackson’s identification showcases the perseverance of those involved in solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims and their loved ones.
