Homicide victim found in barrel at Lake Mead identified more than 4 years after discovery
LAS V
Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse identified the man as Edward Lelburian Jackson. Authorities said he was from Arkansas and in his mid-to-late 50s when he died.
Las Vegas police said Jackson’s remains were discovered in a barrel at Hemenway Harbor at Lake Mead on May 1, 2022. He died from a gunshot wound, and his death was ruled a homicide.
The case drew national attention as water levels at Lake Mead dropped to record lows.
“Our hope is to put the composite out there and see if we can get any good matches. As good as a DNA profile is, it’s only as good as what you have to compare it to,” Rouse previously said about the case. “Obviously, the next steps would be to get it out to the community in hopes that we have some good links to individuals that could be considered for testing.”
Investigators said Jackson’s family told them that he liked to travel, but it was unclear why he was in Las Vegas.
Authorities said they estimated Jackson was killed between the mid-1970s and early 1980s, based on the type of shoes found with him.
According to the county, this homicide was one of four cases involving remains found at Lake Mead in 2022. Three others were identified by DNA:
- Claude Russell Pensinger, 52, of Las Vegas — Skeletal remains found July 25, Aug. 6 and Aug. 16, 2022, near Boulder Beach were confirmed to be from the same person. Pensinger disappeared July 14, 1998. Cause and manner undetermined.
- Donald P. Smith, 39, of North Las Vegas — Remains found Oct. 17 and Oct. 19, 2022, in the Callville Bay area. Smith reportedly drowned in April 1974. Death ruled accidental drowning.
- Thomas Erndt, 42, of Las Vegas — Remains found May 7, 2022, in the Callville Bay area. Erndt reportedly drowned Aug. 2, 2002. Cause and manner undetermined.
In August of this year, more human remains were also discovered at Lake Mead amid the receding water level.
