Human remains found in a wooded area of Albany have been identified as those of 18-year-old Samuel Jackson, who had been missing since late June. His 23-year-old brother, Jamal Jackson, has now been charged in connection with his death.
Dougherty County police announced Wednesday, Sept. 9, that Jamal Jackson was arrested and charged with murder, concealing the death of another person and disposal of a human body. He remains in custody as investigators continue working to determine what happened to Samuel.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Jamal Jackson’s arrest.
The identification of Samuel’s remains was confirmed through an examination conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab and the Dougherty County Coroner’s Office.
Samuel Jackson disappeared in June
Samuel Jackson was reported missing after leaving his home on Friday, June 26. Investigators said he was last seen at about 8:30 p.m. that night at a home on Shady Glen Lane in Dougherty County.
Police and members of the community searched for Jackson following his disappearance. Earlier reports described him as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. He was last known to be wearing red pants, a white T-shirt and white sneakers.
During the search in early July, investigators discovered human remains in a wooded area where Jackson was known or believed to have traveled.
At the time, authorities had not confirmed that the remains belonged to Jackson. The remains were sent to the GBI Crime Lab and the Dougherty County Coroner’s Office for examination and identification.
The identification has now been confirmed.
Investigation remains ongoing
The latest developments add a homicide investigation to the months-long search for Jackson. However, authorities have not publicly disclosed how he died or what investigators believe led to his death.
The Dougherty County Police Department and GBI are continuing to investigate the case.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is encouraged to contact the Dougherty County Police Department at 229-430-6600 or call 911.
Jamal Jackson has been charged, but the allegations against him remain part of an ongoing criminal case.
