PG County: A 33-year-old mystery solved: Skeletal remains found in 1984 are finally identified
A 33-year-old mystery solved: Skeletal remains found in 1984 are finally identified
By Lynh Bui and Dana Hedgpeth May 24 at 11:40 AM
A picture shows a young man with deep-set eyes in a Marine uniform. He disappeared in the early 1980s. ... His fate is now known, although exactly what happened to him is still a mystery. Authorities in Prince Georges County, Md., say they have identified skeletal remains found 33 years ago as those of Bennett Louis, who was 27 years old when he was killed. ... A father and son out on a walk discovered the remains were in a wooded area of Beltsville in October 1984.
For decades, detectives had tried to identify him but couldnt. But using more advanced fingerprint technology at the FBI lab in Quantico, they were finally able to figure out who he was. Louiss last known address was in Jacksonville, N.C., police said, and he was originally from New Roads, La.
Louis had been shot several times and had a bullet hole in his skull, according to Prince Georges County police cold case detective Bernie Nelson. He had no identification on him.
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Christina Cotterman, a spokeswoman for Prince Georges police, encouraged anyone who thinks they have information about Louis, no matter how small, to call detectives. ... A lot of time has passed but our detectives can work with the smallest detail, Cotterman said. ... A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered. Anyone with information is asked to call 301-772-4925.
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Lynh Bui is a Prince George's County public safety reporter and former Montgomery County education reporter.
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Dana Hedgpeth is a Post reporter, working the early morning, reporting on traffic, crime and other local issues.
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