COLOMBIA, SC (AP) – A man and a woman found shot to death near Interstate 95 in South Carolina have been identified by DNA after more than 44 years.
The victims are likely James Paul Freund of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 30, and Pamela Mae Buckley, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 25, according to authorities. Their relationship is unknown. The bodies were exhumed in 2007 to take DNA samples, which were sent to the DNA Donate Project for testing. In July, the samples were also sent to California and Alabama for DNA extraction and comparison.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said the bodies were discovered by a truck driver on Old St. John Church Road in Lynchburg, South Carolina, just off I-95 on August 9, 1976.
Investigators say both were shot with the same weapon several times in August 1976.
Buckley, born in 1951, was originally from Minnesota and was reported missing in Colorado Springs in December 1975. Freund was born in 1946 and was last seen in Lancaster in December 1975, according to the sheriff’s office.
Their families were notified.
“It’s great to be able to shut down families after starting this investigation so many years ago,” said Sheriff Anthony Dennis. “We also plan to reopen the investigation and follow up with someone of interest.”
Officials say they hope that identities and photos will stimulate memory or encourage a culprit to come forward so they can find the killer.