Human remains found in wrecked SUV in Bessemer identified as 39-year-old man missing since September
Human remains found inside a wrecked vehicle in Bessemer are confirmed to be those a 39-year-old man who disappeared in September.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office on Friday identified the victim as Ricardo Carlos Jefferson.
Jefferson was last seen leaving his home at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. He was driving a 2015 gray Nissan Juke with Alabama license plate 1A0182U.
His family said it was unlike him to disappear.
The remains of Ricardo Jefferson were discovered Jan. 11, 2023, in his wrecked SUV in Bessemer. Jefferson disappeared in September 2022.
A contractor installing utility poles discovered the wrecked Juke early Wednesday afternoon in the 8200 block of Lock 17 Road. The vehicle was at the bottom of a small ravine.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said It is believed the vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle wreck where the vehicle, for unknown reasons, left the roadway and struck a tree at the bottom of the ravine.
Jefferson was officially pronounced dead on the scene at 1 p.m.
Bessemer police Lt. Christian Clemons said no foul play is suspected in Jefferson’s death.