This individual was recently confirmed to have been identified. Some details may change as more information is released publicly.
Marcus Tsehay Rutledge (born December 17, 1974) was a man whose skull was found near State Route 12 in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was identified by Othram in January 2025. Foul play is suspected in his case.
Disappearance[]
Rutledge was last seen at his apartment in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 8, 1998. He last spoke to his ex-girlfriend but failed to return her calls and messages. He had returned from visiting family in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for Memorial Day and made no indication of having an extended stay. His red 1995 Plymouth Neon was found abandoned on July 1 in the parking lot of the Riverwood Apartments complex, 21 miles west of his home. A handgun had been found in the car, possibly belonging to Rutledge. His ex-girlfriend claimed he had altercations with people and kept it for self-defense.
Police believe foul play was involved in his disappearance, as Rutledge had been involved with selling marijuana, as well as his former roommate, Athan Gibbs, who was found murdered in February 1999. It is unclear if the murder is related to Rutledge's disappearance.
Identification[]
On December 8, 2010, a hunter found a human skull 30 yards from Pecan Valley Road near Highway 12 in Nashville, Tennessee.
In December 2023, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department sent evidence to Othram for DNA analysis to build a genetic profile and perform a genealogical search, which developed leads about the decedent's identity. After launching a follow-up investigation and following a separate lead, the decedent was identified as Rutledge.
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