Remains Found Along Douglas Lake In 2019 Identified

Investigators with the TBI says they now know the identity of remains that were found in a golf bag along Douglas Lake in 2019. The TBI says those remains belong to Earl Joseph Pizzoferrato, of Knoxville…he was born in 1991. The man’s remains were found in a Thompson Cigar Company “Match Play” golf bag on the shore of Douglas Lake on March 10, 2019. The TBI and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office revealed at the time that the victim was wearing a black “Walking Dead” t-shirt and a leather belt stamped with the name “Gerald.” However, detectives were unable to figure out the John Doe’s race, age or how long he had been deceased. After a year of trying, the TBI in 2020 turned to the organization called DNA Doe Project, who uses DNA to identify remains. According to the DNA Doe Project, one thing making this case difficult was that Pizzoferrato was adopted. The TBI is continuing to investigate that case…anyone who might have information about that case is urged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.