In a significant breakthrough, the remains of C.L. Daniel, a victim of the devastating massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have been identified, thanks to DNA analysis. The announcement was made by Mayor G.T. Bynum and officials from Intermountain Forensics, the forensic lab involved in the investigation.

Daniel, who was in his 20s when he was killed, can finally be laid to rest, bringing a sigh of relief to his grieving family. Mayor Bynum expressed his sympathy, stating, "This is one family who gets to give a member of their family that they lost a proper burial, after not knowing where they were for over a century."

The identification of Daniel's remains was a profound moment for Brenda Nails-Alford, a descendant of massacre survivors and a member of the committee overseeing the search for victims. Overwhelmed with emotions, Nails-Alford spoke tearfully, describing the identification as an "awesome day" that had been long-awaited.

The search for victims began in 2020, unearthing more than 120 graves. DNA samples were collected from approximately 30 sets of remains, and Daniel's identification marks the first successful match to the massacre. Investigators came across a crucial lead in the form of a 1936 letter from Daniel's mother's attorney, which solidified his connection to the tragic event.

Forensic scientist Alison Wilde, of Intermountain Forensics, emphasized the impact of the identification on the family. She mentioned that no members of Daniel's family, who remain largely unfamiliar with each other, attended the news conference, indicating the shocking news they had received. Wilde acknowledged that the revelation had brought numerous emotions and changes to the family's lives.

The condition of Daniel's remains presented significant challenges. Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield revealed that the remains were fragmented, making it impossible to determine the cause of death. Additionally, Oklahoma state archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck highlighted the disturbing fact that Daniel's wooden casket was too small for him, requiring his legs to be bent to fit inside. This finding was consistent with the accounts from newspaper articles and burial records of victims describing simple caskets for the massacre victims.

Despite this breakthrough, the search for victims continues, with the next phase set to commence on July 22, as announced by Mayor Bynum. The aim is to locate and identify as many victims as possible, providing closure to their families and the community affected by the tragedy.

In related news, a lawsuit filed by the only two known living survivors of the massacre, Viola Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle, was dismissed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in June. Attorneys representing the survivors are now seeking reconsideration from the court and urging the U.S. Department of Justice to initiate an investigation under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007.

The identification of C.L. Daniel's remains serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing efforts to unravel the untold stories of the Tulsa massacre and seek justice for those who lost their lives.