BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — After nearly 30 years, human remains found in Alabama have been identified as those of James Carol Jackson, a man from Groveton, Texas, whose death has been ruled a homicide.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama said Jackson was identified using forensic genealogy in April 2026. The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office in Texas confirmed that Jackson was from Groveton.
Photos of James Carol Jackson (Photo courtesy of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office)
Officials said in January 1994, a person was walking in the wooded area off of State Highway 225 when they spotted skeletal remains. Found with those remains were a trucker hat, a western shirt, an inhaler, a digital watch, prescription glasses, a mechanical pencil and pen set, as well as a torch tip.
Officials believe the homicide happened in 1988 or 1989, after he arrived in the area around 1987, when he was 50 years old.
Jackson drove a 1978 to 1981 Chevrolet Camaro that the sheriff’s office has not been able to locate.
James Carol Jackson’s vehicle (Photo courtesy of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office)
He was a welder, and in 1987, he told his family he was going to Alabama for work.
At the time, I-65 was being expanded, and officials believe he may have come to the area to help work on the project.
Officials also said he stopped communicating with his family about 12 months after leaving Texas.
It is believed that he may have been living off Highway 225 and may have frequented the Tensaw Lodge.
Family described him as a non-violent, easy-going guy.
Anyone who may have any information on the case can submit a tip through the sheriff’s office website or through Crimestoppers.
