Las Vegas police identified human remains found in a barrel in Lake Mead in May 2022 as those of Edward Lelburian Jackson, originally from Arizona. Water sports enthusiasts discovered the barrel on an exposed stretch of the reservoir as drought lowered the water level and alerted police after seeing bones protruding from it. Investigators believe Jackson was killed by a single gunshot in the late 1970s or early 1980s, based partly on his clothing.

The identification was made through a public DNA database after a relative uploaded a DNA profile. Jackson had not been reported missing, and police said he had no known ties to Las Vegas or organized crime. A possible connection to the mafia had been speculated about, but police said there was currently nothing pointing to one. The investigation into his death continues.