Skeletal Remains Found in 2004 Identified as Birmingham Man Missing Since 1988

Bryant Keith Bates, 21, was the victim of a homicide, authorities say.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Jefferson County Coroner's Office has identified skeletal remains found in 2004 as those of Bryant Keith Bates, a 21-year-old Birmingham man who went missing in 1988. The autopsy showed Bates died from a gunshot wound to the head, and his case is now being investigated as a homicide.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of modern forensic techniques, like genetic genealogy, in solving cold cases and providing closure for families of missing persons. It also underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in investigating disappearances and unidentified remains, even decades later.

The details

Bates disappeared on November 15, 1988, after leaving his family's home in North East Lake to attend a friend's funeral. His family reported him missing when he failed to return home. In 2004, an exterminator discovered human skeletal remains buried in a crawl space in South East Lake. Examinations of the remains determined they belonged to an adult male of African descent, aged 17-30, with a height of around 5'10". Clothing and personal effects found with the remains matched the description of what Bates was wearing when he went missing. The autopsy concluded Bates died from a gunshot wound to the head.

  • Bates disappeared on November 15, 1988.
  • The skeletal remains were discovered on June 22, 2004.
  • In November 2015, information about the unidentified remains was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
  • In January 2018, a bone sample was submitted to the University of Texas Center for Human Identification for traditional DNA analysis.
  • In March 2025, a bone sample was submitted to Othram, Inc. for Forensic Genetic Genealogy analysis.

The players

Bryant Keith Bates

A 21-year-old Birmingham man who went missing in 1988 and was later identified as the victim of a homicide through skeletal remains found in 2004.

Bill Yates

The Chief Deputy Coroner of Jefferson County, who oversaw the identification of Bates' remains.

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What they’re saying

“The identification of Bates is the second identification using this forensic genetic genealogy process and said he hopes have many more identifications in the future.”

— Bill Yates, Chief Deputy Coroner, Jefferson County (al.com)

What’s next

Investigators are continuing to analyze 26 other unidentified remains cases in Jefferson County using the forensic genetic genealogy process in the hopes of providing closure to more families.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the power of modern forensic techniques, like genetic genealogy, in solving long-standing cold cases and identifying victims of crime, even decades later. It also highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in investigating disappearances and unidentified remains, underscoring the importance of persistent efforts to bring closure to families of missing persons.