Partial Remains of Missing Madisonville Father Identified

Second set of remains belonging to Luke Michael 'Gator' Butler, who went missing in 2019, found in Monroe County

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Partial skeletal remains found in Monroe County, Tennessee in 2024 have been identified as belonging to Luke Michael 'Gator' Butler, a Madisonville father who was reported missing in 2019. This is the second set of partial remains belonging to Butler that have been identified, with a skull found in a nearby area in 2022.

Why it matters

The identification of Butler's remains provides some closure for his family, but also raises further questions about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case in hopes of determining exactly what happened.

The details

In March 2024, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office responded after partial remains were found in a wooded area of Madisonville. The remains were sent to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center for analysis, and a Texas-based laboratory, Othram, helped determine that the remains belonged to Butler. This was the second set of partial remains linked to Butler, as a skull had been found and identified in a nearby area in October 2022.

  • Butler was last seen in September 2019.
  • He was reported missing on October 7, 2019.
  • Partial remains were found in March 2024.
  • A skull was found and identified in October 2022.
  • The remains were identified as Butler's in June 2025.

The players

Luke Michael 'Gator' Butler

A 36-year-old Madisonville father who was reported missing in 2019.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating Butler's disappearance and death.

Othram

A Texas-based laboratory that specializes in difficult DNA cases and helped identify the remains as belonging to Butler.

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What they’re saying

“The Monroe County Sheriff's Office continues to work hard to uncover what happened to Luke Butler, and identifying his remains was a necessary and important step in the process.”

— Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram

What’s next

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Butler's death and is encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

The takeaway

The identification of Luke Butler's remains, while providing some closure for his family, also highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in solving missing persons cases and determining the fate of those who disappear without a trace.