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The human remains found in 1983 at an abandoned Indiana farm have been identified as those of Keith Lavell Bibbs, a Chicago teenager who was a victim of serial killer Larry Eyler. Eyler confessed to at least 20 killings before his death in 1994. Bibbs’ remains were found near the remains of three other young men Eyler had killed. The DNA Doe Project, Indiana State Police, and the Identify Indiana Initiative worked together to identify Bibbs after nearly 40 years. He is the last of the four victims to be positively identified. The family is requesting privacy while they grieve. RICK CALLAHAN, Associated Press reported
The remains of a Chicago teenager who was a victim of the late serial killer Larry Eyler have finally been identified, nearly 40 years after they were discovered. Keith Lavell Bibbs, who was 16 at the time of his death, was found buried at an abandoned farm in Lake Village, Indiana, along with three other young men who were also killed by Eyler. Eyler confessed to at least 20 killings before his death in 1994.
The identification of Bibbs’ remains was made possible through the efforts of the Newton County Coroner’s Office, the DNA Doe Project, Indiana State Police, and the Identify Indiana Initiative. Bibbs is the last of the four victims to be positively identified. All four victims had been drugged and murdered by Eyler, according to his confessions.
The process of identifying Bibbs was challenging due to the highly degraded state of his DNA. Investigators spent more than two years trying to create a workable DNA profile to compare to forensic databases. In January, a team of investigative genetic genealogists made progress in unraveling Bibbs’ complex family tree, leading to his identification.
Now that Bibbs has been identified, the Newton County Coroner’s Office is working on the necessary paperwork to send his remains to his relatives for burial. The family has requested privacy during this time of grieving.
The identification of Bibbs’ remains brings closure to a long and difficult journey for the families of Eyler’s victims. It is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the investigators and organizations involved in solving cold cases and bringing justice to the victims and their loved ones..
- Serial killer Larry Eyler
- Keith Lavell Bibbs
- DNA Doe Project.
