In a recent development, investigators have concluded the latest search for the remains of victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, revealing three additional sets of remains with visible gunshot wounds. The excavation took place in Oaklawn Cemetery and resulted in the discovery of a total of 11 sets of remains, according to State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck on Friday.

Stackelbeck stated that two of the gunshot victims displayed evidence of munitions from different weapons, while the third victim showed signs of both gunshot wounds and burning. Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield, who will be examining the remains on-site, reported that one victim suffered from both bullet and shotgun wounds, while the second victim was struck by bullets of different calibers.

The search focused on locating simple wooden caskets, as historical records such as newspaper articles, death certificates, and funeral home records described them as the type used for burying massacre victims, Stackelbeck explained. Following the exhumation process, the remains will be sent to Intermountain Forensics in Salt Lake City for DNA and genealogical testing in hopes of identifying the victims.

This search effort concludes roughly a month after the identification of previous remains from the massacre, which were found to belong to World War I veteran C.L. Daniel from Georgia. It is worth noting that Stubblefield mentioned no signs of gunshot wounds on Daniel's remains, suggesting that such wounds might be challenging to determine after so many years, especially if the bullet did not strike bone.

Mayor G.T. Bynum, who initiated the project in 2018, expressed his desire to continue the search for victims even as his mayoral term nears its end. Bynum emphasized the importance of pursuing this investigation to uncover the truth behind the century-old murders and concealment of victims, regardless of who succeeds him as mayor.

As investigators continue mapping the graves, Stackelbeck disclosed that they are considering whether further searches should be conducted based on accumulated data confirming victims fitting the massacre profile. Stackelbeck stated, "We will be taking all of that information into consideration as we make our recommendations about whether there is cause for additional excavations."

Brenda Nails-Alford, a descendant of massacre survivors and a member of the overseeing committee, expressed her gratitude for Bynum's commitment to finding the victims' remains. She hopes that these efforts will persist, bringing justice and healing to both the lost victims and affected families in the community.

In a related development, Mayor Bynum and City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper recently announced the formation of a committee to explore potential reparations for survivors and descendants of the massacre, as well as for the North Tulsa area where the tragic event occurred.