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NC man murdered in 1976 identified as US Army veteran

A man found murdered in 1976 in Chatham County was finally identified on Wednesday by forensic experts.

Posted Updated
Jimmy Mack Brooks
By
Maggie Brown
, WRAL multiplatform producer
MONCURE, N.C. — A man found murdered in 1976 in Chatham County was finally identified on Wednesday by forensic experts.

Authorities said they discovered the man found in Moncure 46 years ago was an unmarried U.S. Army veteran named Jimmy Mack Brooks. He was 26 when he was killed, state forensic experts said.

Due to a lack of evidence and viable clues, his body was not identified until Wednesday.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office kept the case open after all these years with hope that they'd be able to find out who the man was.

Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ricky Culberson connected with the North Carolina Unidentified Project to help obtain funding to conduct forensics and DNA testing, according to the county sheriff's office.

Forensic investigators were able to build a genealogical profile of Brooks using skeletal remains.

That profile led investigators to a family member of Brooks, who was able to identify him.

The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate who murdered Brooks.

“It is bittersweet to be able to share this information with his loved ones who never stopped looking for him,” said Lieutenant Sara Pack of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. “Although his identity has finally been revealed, there are many more questions to be answered. We will continue to seek justice for Jimmy and his family.”

The sheriff's office is asking members of the public to share what they know about the life and death of Brooks.

"Investigators say a single small detail could potentially lead to the next big leap in the case," a release from the sheriff's office said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff's office at 919-542-2911.

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