In May 1983, authorities discovered a charred body inside a burned car, initially believing it to be the remains of Edward L. Cates, a disgraced city commissioner with mounting financial troubles.
However, the truth was far more twisted. Cates wasn’t dead; he was hiding in Georgia under an alias. The man in the car found in Canton, Mississippi, remained nameless for the next 40 years.
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Funeral services were held for the man who had once advised Mississippi’s Governor Ross Barnett. But Cates had fooled them all.
A year after Cates was believed to have died, authorities discovered he was alive and hiding in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He had been using the alias Christopher E. Curts, claiming to be a retired major general.
Authorities quickly pieced together the puzzle: Cates had staged his own death in an effort to escape his mounting debts, which included embezzling over $223,000 from a client.
Cates was charged with capital murder, but he later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a deal. Despite this, he never revealed the identity of the deceased man, leaving investigators with unanswered questions.
In 2025, forensic scientists at Othram, an investigative lab specializing in DNA sequencing, have taken on the daunting task of identifying the victim. Through DNA testing and genetic genealogy, Othram hopes to generate fresh investigative leads that could finally reveal the true identity of the man whose life was so tragically cut short. The Rankin County Coroner’s Office and Madison County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with Othram in this effort, and a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the high-cost DNA testing.
“This is a 40-year-old mystery that we are able to solve now because of advancements in technology,” said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram. “That means the family of this unknown victim will know what happened to him and can finally put their questions to rest.”
At the time of the discovery, the man was estimated to be between 35 and 55 years old, but beyond that, little was known. His remains had been severely burned, leaving almost no recognizable features. But the new DNA analysis could change everything.
As DNA testing proceeds, investigators hope that, with the help of the public, they can finally uncover who the man in the car was and bring his family the closure they have been denied for over four decades.
For those interested in following the investigation or contributing to the cause, Othram has set up a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of this critical testing. Every donation brings the case one step closer to solving a mystery that has haunted Mississippi for over 40 years.