The body of a man found along the White River in Anderson, Indiana, was originally misidentified as Kevin Gregory Markham, but has now been correctly identified as Andrew Mason. The mistake has caused distress for Markham’s family, who had been preparing for his funeral. Foul play is not suspected, and the cause of death has not been released.
The Madison County Coroner’s Office in Anderson, Indiana, recently reported a misidentification in a death case that has left the family of the deceased distraught. Initially identified as 32-year-old Kevin Gregory Markham, the body found along the White River last Sunday has now been correctly identified as Andrew Mason, 27, according to Coroner Adam Matson.
The mistake came to light when Markham’s mother was shown a picture of the deceased and expressed doubts about his identity. Anderson police then obtained a DNA sample from Markham’s mother, which confirmed that the body was not her son’s. A fingerprint analysis later verified that the deceased was indeed Andrew Mason.
Holly Markham, Kevin Markham’s sister, expressed her frustration and called it a “severe mis-justice.” She explained that her mother, who was at the Moose Lodge in Anderson at the time, had been shown a photograph and an identification card that led her to believe it was her son. The family was shocked by the misidentification, especially since they had already been preparing for Kevin Markham’s funeral.
The body was discovered at Edgewater Park along the river bank, and foul play is not suspected in the case. The cause of death has not yet been released by the coroner’s office.
This incident highlights the importance of accurate identification procedures in cases of death. Mistakes can cause immense emotional distress to the families involved. The Madison County Coroner’s Office is now reviewing their identification protocols to prevent similar errors in the future.
As the investigation continues, the Mason family has been able to identify and claim the body of Andrew Mason. The Markham family, on the other hand, is left grieving the loss of their younger brother in January, in addition to the confusion caused by the misidentification.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the need for meticulousness and sensitivity when dealing with the identification process in death cases. The bereaved families deserve accurate information and closure during such difficult times..