Dismembered remains identified by tattoo and social media as a Poplarville resident

A tattoo, public records and social media accounts helped Pearl River County investigators identify the dismembered body found Saturday morning.

Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said the victim was Seth Coulter Odom, 24, of Poplarville. Odom’s remains were found in an area on Burge and Reyer roads.

“The medical examiner was able to identify his tattoos after extracting the body,” said Turnage.

Investigators searched Pearl River jail booking records for the tattoo then confirmed Odom’s tattoo and identity on social media. His family has been notified.

Turnage said the medical examiner completed an autopsy Tuesday, but a preliminary report confirming the cause of death has not been released. “It usually takes the medical examiner about 24 hours to complete the preliminary report,” he added.

Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said the case appears to be a homicide, but an investigation is ongoing.

This story was originally published December 6, 2022 at 1:18 PM.

Mona Moore

Sun Herald

Mona Moore was a Service Journalism Desk Editor for the Sun Herald in Mississippi; Mahoning Matters in Ohio; and the Ledger-Enquirer and Telegraph in Georgia. Originally from West Covina, California, she holds a bachelor’s and master’s in corporate and public communication from the University of South Alabama. Mona’s writing and photography have been recognized by press associations in Mississippi, North Carolina and Florida.