COLD CASE: PBSO Identified Murder Victim From 1985 Cold Case

by News Desk | Jan 18, 2024 · 8:09 am | West Palm Beach News

COLD CASE: Who Killed Terry Ketron?

Last Updated: Jan 5, 2026 · 3:47 pm

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What Happened To Terry Ketron? Someone Knows Something.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2024) — PBSO identified a victim from a 1985 cold case thanks to DNA.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) has attributed the successful identification of unidentified remains discovered on January 12, 1985, to an advanced technique called Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG).

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Back in 1985, a group of children playing in a densely wooded area stumbled upon human remains near a canal bank near Jog Road and Forest Hill Boulevard. PBSO and the Medical Examiner’s Office took charge of the situation, collecting the remains and thoroughly investigating the scene. Unfortunately, the identity of the deceased individual remained unknown and it was classified as a homicide.

For years, these unidentified remains were referred to as “The Nameless” within PBSO’s Cold Cases department. Despite entering the DNA into CODIS (FBI’s database), no matches were found initially. However, thanks to advancements in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy made possible by Othram, a breakthrough finally occurred in this particular case. Through kinship matching techniques, Terry Ketron was identified as the deceased individual.

Further investigations into Mr. Ketron’s background revealed that he had traveled to south Florida from Kentucky in the early 1980s accompanied by a female companion whose first name might be Connie or Bonnie (last name unknown). The last contact Ketron had with his family was via phone call during which he mentioned facing difficulties with his girlfriend and her family members. Since that call, Ketron had gone silent and his whereabouts remained unknown.

The Cold Case Detectives of the PBSO are asking for help from the public in identifying the female companion of Terry Ketron, who accompanied him on a trip to Florida or any other friends or acquaintances he may have had.

If you have any information, please reach out to Detective John Cogburn at 561 688 4063 or [email protected]. You can also contact Crime Stoppers at ** TIPS or 1 800 458 TIPS.

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