After more than three decades of mystery, forensic advances have given a name to the unidentified human remains found in 1991, as revealed by the Nashville Police Department. Discovered by a local dog returning home with a human skull, the remains have been identified as Philip Daniel Sydnor, who was 40 years old at the time they were found.
In a grim twist of fate, the remains were initially encountered in the 2800 block of Barksdale Lane, yet no further evidence could be uncovered until advancements in forensic science caught up. The remains were sent to Othram lab in January of 2023, and through the meticulous work of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), they finally have a name. Known to have lived a transient life, Sydnor’s passing still carries with it unanswered questions, the cause and manner of his death remaining as indeterminate as his whereabouts were in life.
Despite the breakthrough in identification, the Nashville Police Department’s Cold Case Unit continues to seek closure on the case. Detective Andrew Davis, attached to the unit, is the point of contact for any new leads or information. Sydnor’s identified remains represent a fusion of the past and present as genetic science bridges the gap across years that once seemed insurmountable in cold cases…