City officials announce identity of Tulsa Race Massacre victim at news conference

The City of Tulsa announced a major update in its search for victims and relatives from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

In a news conference Friday, city officials identified the identity of a 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre victim.

For 103 years, C.L. Daniel's family didn't know where he was buried. Now, thanks to the collaboration between the City and Intermountain Forensics, his body was identified.

The City said C.L. was a World War 1 U.S. Army Veteran whose connection to the massacre was confirmed through genealogical analysis.

C.L. is the first victim identified in the City's investigation.

“C.L. Daniel was a veteran who served our country in World War I, who was killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and whose family did not know where he had been buried for the last 103 years - until this week,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “I want to express Tulsa’s profound gratitude to everyone who brought us to today - from the local historians and the leaders who developed the 2001 State Commission Report to our team of experts, who are pouring their hearts and minds into this search today. I want to thank my colleagues on the Tulsa City Council and the citizens of Tulsa for continuing to fund this search. I hope this generation of Tulsans can appreciate that you helped this family find their relative after he was missing for 103 years.”

Mayor Bynum was joined by Intermountain Forensics and Tulsa Race Massacre descendant Brenda Nails Alford at Tulsa City Hall Friday morning.

Intermountain Forensics is the lab assisting the City of Tulsa with DNA analysis in the investigation.

FOX23 will follow this for updates.