Skeletal Remains – Identified

December 19, 2023

Skeletal Remains – Identified

The skeletal remains discovered near Seneca on April 19, 2023, have been positively identified as, Emmanuel Cornelius Quarles.  His remains were found adjacent to Hiawassee Drive when a suspect in his death led law enforcement and staff of the SC Attorney General’s Office to the location.

Mr. Quarles is presumed to have died on April 20, 2015.  His death is classified a Homicide although an actual cause of death was not established.

This office had hoped to establish a positive identification through DNA; however, due to the degradation of the skeletal remains, a DNA profile could not be established to compare to a known DNA standard and familial DNA standards.

Post-mortem dental x-rays indicated dental restorations. No dentist could be identified or located to obtain dental records for comparison.

Mr. Quarles once resided in Greenwood, SC.  This office would reach out to Coroner Sonny Cox with the Greenwood County Coroner Office in early December.  Coroner Cox and his staff were able to locate known ante mortem x-rays of Mr. Quarles at Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood, SC; his staff was able to obtain a copy of the x-rays for our office.  These x-rays of Mr. Quarles were obtained in 2006 and showed dental restorations.

The post-mortem x-rays and ante mortem x-rays were reviewed by a Forensic Odonatologist affiliated with NamUS (National Missing and Unidentified Person System).  A final report was received on Monday, December 18, 2023, confirming the identification of Mr. Quarles via dental images.

The family of Mr. Quarles has been notified.  The SC Attorney General’s Office has also been notified of the positive identification so they can proceed with the legal issues pending regarding the death of Mr. Quarles.

This press release is courtesy of Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis.