Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
McAlester, Oklahoma (April 10, 2023) - The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is requesting anyone who has information or a tip regarding a 1995 cold case homicide to contact the OSBI.
 
On April 9, 1995, two unidentified bodies were found in a wooded area near U.S. Highway 69 in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported the cause of death was gunshot wounds and the manner of death was a homicide.  In April 2020, Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris requested OSBI assistance with the homicide and help to identify the bodies.      
 
In 2021, the OSBI Forensic Science Center sent a specimen from one of the deceased for Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching to Parabon Nano Labs.  In September 2022, it was reported the persons were likely to be Brian and Rachel Burr of Texas.
 
OSBI Agents traveled to Texas and Ohio to conduct interviews and collect DNA samples from relatives in an attempt to positively identify the individuals. Based on the information received from various interviews, the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner, additional DNA testing performed by the OSBI Forensic Science Center, Ohio Bureau of Investigation, and the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, the identities were believed to be Brian Burr, 23 years of age at the time, and wife Rachel Burr, 21 years of age at the time.
 
Agencies who have worked on the investigation include:
 
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Department
Texas Rangers
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
University of North Texas Center for Human Identification
Parabon Nano Labs, Inc
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner 
 
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact the OSBI at 800-522-8017 or email [email protected].
 
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