Clara "Nuttin" Birdlong (1933 - c. August 3, 1977) was a woman found in a wooded area in 1977. Serial killer Samuel Little confessed to her murder along with the slayings of nearly 100 people.
She was identified in 2021 with assistance from Othram Inc.
Case[]
Clara Birdlong's skeletal remains were found at a construction site near Interstate 10 and Highway 63 (now 613). No exact cause of death was determined but it is believed her death was a homicide and committed by serial killer Samuel Little.
When questioned, Little said he picked up a woman matching Clara's description at a bar in Gulfport, Mississippi and took her out for dinner before strangling her and dumping her body. He thought Clara worked at the Ingalls Shipyard, but this was found not to be true after her identification. Little said this encounter took place before 1982, which is consistent with this case. Police believe his statements are credible, yet he was unable to recall Birdlong having gold caps on her teeth.
In 2021, investigators used Birdlong's DNA to build a family tree and tracked down a distant cousin who was able to recall Birdlong. From there, they tracked down several relations of Clara Birdlong who all said she had vanished in the 70s after leaving with a black man who said he was on his way to Florida.
Characteristics[]
- The woman had two gold caps on her front teeth, which protruded.
- She had a prior surgery or an injury to a leg as well as an injury to an ankle, affecting the way she would have walked.
- She likely smoked or used tobacco.
- She gave birth at least once.
- Her hair (unknown color) had been braided and she possibly wore a wig.
- Samuel Little provided additional details about the victim:
- She may have had a light complexion.
- Her hands may have been visibly worn due to her job.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- Clara Birdlong at the Doe Network
- FBI
- Washington Post
- New York Times
- New York Post
- Law and Crime
- Samuel Little on Wikipedia
- DNASolves