Detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Bureau Cold Case Squad have identified a child found deceased in 1972 as Carl Matthew Bryant. The identification was made possible through advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing by Astrea Forensics.
Astrea Forensics developed a DNA profile suitable for genetic genealogy, which Innovative Forensic Investigations used to identify a possible relative of the unidentified child. Detectives traced the family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. A relative led them to the child’s mother, Vera Bryant, who died in 1980. According to a family member, she had two sons, Carl and James, and planned to travel from Philadelphia to Virginia in 1972. Vera’s body was exhumed, and DNA submitted to Astrea Forensics confirmed a match.
On June 13, 1972, the body of a young boy was found in Massey Creek under the Old Colchester Road Bridge in Lorton. An autopsy determined that blunt force trauma caused his death and ruled it a homicide. With no immediate leads at the time, a local church group named him “Charles Lee Charlet” and arranged for his burial at Coleman Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia. The case remained unsolved for over five decades.
In 2003, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created a computer-generated sketch of the victim that brought in several tips but did not yield any viable leads. In 2004, hair evidence was discovered and sent to the FBI for mitochondrial DNA extraction and entry into the national database; no matches were found.
By 2016, detectives had ruled out two potential missing children cases via DNA analysis. Due to limitations with mitochondrial DNA technology, detectives sought nuclear DNA but faced challenges because poor cemetery records and storm damage had erased burial markers at John Doe’s grave site.
Astrea Forensics managed to extract a nuclear DNA profile from just a few millimeters of hair—less than typically required—which allowed further investigation using genetic genealogy techniques. Detectives then traveled to Philadelphia where they confirmed with relatives that Vera Bryant had a four-year-old son named Carl Matthew Bryant who disappeared after leaving for Virginia in 1972.
DNA samples from relatives and Carl’s suspected father were collected along with historical records. Vera Bryant’s body was exhumed so that George Mason University could assist with preparing evidence for submission to Astrea Forensics. After multiple failed attempts due to preservation issues, Astrea successfully extracted DNA from Vera’s remains on July 1st, confirming that John Doe was Carl Matthew Bryant.
Detectives believe that both Vera Bryant and her boyfriend James Hedgepeth—now deceased—were involved in Carl’s murder. They also suspect that Carl’s infant brother James Bryant was killed around the same time period between Philadelphia and Middlesex County, Virginia. James Hedgepeth had previously been convicted of murder and had a violent criminal history.
The whereabouts of six-month-old James Bryant remain unknown; he is presumed dead. Detectives think his body may have been discarded somewhere along the route between Philadelphia and Virginia.
The resolution of this case involved collaboration among multiple organizations including: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Astrea Forensics, Innovative Forensic Investigations (IFI), Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office, Office of the District Attorney (City of Philadelphia), George Mason University, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Greenmount Cemetery (Philadelphia), Jones Funeral Home (Philadelphia), Coleman Cemetery (Alexandria), and members of the Bryant family.
Detectives are seeking public assistance regarding this family or information about unidentified infant remains recovered or documented from the 1970s in Virginia or Philadelphia areas. The Major Crimes Bureau can be reached at 703-246-7800 option 2; anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) or online via their website.
Victim specialists from the Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division are providing resources and support to surviving family members.
