Body found in McCreary County identified 33 years later

LONDON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Investigators finally have a name to go with remains discovered 33 years ago in McCreary County.

On Thursday, Kentucky State Police announced the remains have been identified as those of 29-year-old Gerald Swindell, of Norfolk, Virginia.

State police say Swindell’s body was found in November of 1986 in the Strunk community of McCreary County.

Police pursued several potential leads for information, but the case eventually went cold.

In 2016, the McCreary County Coroner’s Office and Kentucky State Police renewed efforts to identify the remains.

In late 2017, a missing person from Norfolk, Virginia was identified as a possible match to the remains.

A DNA sample was collected from the family member of the missing person, tested, and led to Swindell’s identity, according to investigators.

State police say the case remains under investigation.