The Billy the Kid DNA Investigation

In the summer of 2003 three men, (Lincoln County Sheriff Tom Sullivan, Mayor of Captian in Lincoln County Steve Sederwall and De Baca County Sheriff Gary Graves) announced a new investigation into the death of Billy the Kid.

Using the newest in DNA evidence gathering techniques, the team would exhume the bodies of Billy the Kid and his mother, Catherine Antrim, to prove that Billy the Kid was buried in Fort Sumner Cemetery. This would clear Pat Garrett’s name and show that he did, in fact kill Billy the
 Kid. They would also test this DNA against claimants of the mantle of Billy the Kid Brushy Bill Roberts and John Miller to lay these stories to rest.

Since the announcement of the investigation in 2003 the matter has become a major controversy in New Mexico and throughout the country. Legal battles have ensued with issues that still have not been resolved.

The Death of Billy the Kid

The story of the death of Billy the Kid is one of the most famous stories of the Old West. In July of 1881, 3 months after his harrowing escape from prison (and two months after he was supposed to have been hanged), Sheriff Pat Garrett and his deputies were searching for the Kid. According to sources the Kid was still in the area of Fort Sumner, and it was Garrett’s intention to find him.

On the night of July 14th, 1881, Garrett went to the home of ailing Pedro Maxwell, a friend of Billy the Kid’s. According to reports, while sitting in the darkened room with Maxwell Billy the Kid entered the room. Not recognizing Garrett in the darkness the Kid as “¿Quien es? ¿Quien es?” (“Who is it? Who is it?”) . Garret recognized the voice as belonging to the Kid, drew his pistol and shot him in the chest.

The body was then quickly examined on the floor of Maxwell’s room. Shortly after it was moved to a carpenter’s bench on the Maxwell property for a more thorough investigation. A coroner’s jury was called, who determined that it was in fact Billy the Kid. The body was carried away by the people of the town who loved Billy the Kid and was buried not long after.

Where is Billy the Kid Buried Now?

Related information
  • Billy the Kid died on July 14th, 1881.
  • Brushy Bill Roberts and John Miller bothed claimed to be the real Billy the Kid.
  • A DNA investigation begun in 2003 continues to go on despite legal difficulties.
 
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Brushy Bill Roberts is an ancestor of mine on my grandfather's side and everyone in my family knows that he is in fact not Billy the Kid. Some government officials claim he is to attract tourists to Texas.

Posted on 03/06/2009 at 4:03:04 PM

Hi everyone I think it could be eighter brushy or John Miller. But the investigation said Brushy new alot about the war and what what might have happened. Brushy also wanted to get pardoned but was not. Another clue is that a chest went missing and John Miller had it at his bed side, noone knows where that chest went. All I know is that Billy never died that day years ago, I think he continued living and I think Pat Garrett just covered it up or Pat did it to help Billy if indeed they were friends.

Posted on 11/15/2007 at 12:11:00 PM

well celestina maybe you need to use common sense if you loved someone wouldnt you lie to keep him safe use common sense if this man could not read how would he know so much about the lincoln county war. even if their are holes in it, i can barely remember things i did 5 years ago very outlawish type things over 40 yrs he will forget. not saying hes billy the kid but im not saying hes not. dont be a idiot celestina.

Posted on 11/10/2007 at 8:11:00 PM

to Karla- Your family; can't you do something about the DNA testing, so it can continue.... To Celestina- history was written by people- people lie- The truth is that we don't know the truth; therefore you don't have the right to down Brushy Bill... the truth is you don't know....

Posted on 08/16/2007 at 8:08:00 PM

to karla ure so called great uncle was a liar no affence there is so much evidence proven against him was he bored because well and truely even paulita maxwell sed in a recent statement that was found past down through the maxwell family that the kid was indeed shot and killed im not being nasty im just tyring to say that your great uncle had a big imagination and plus he did not even have enough facts about lincon county war and so on im not tyring to make ya`ll family fell like crap but im jus tryin to state the obvious and plus didnt enyone think that the kid would if he lived kept in contact with old freinds i really doubt that ure great uncle was the kid sorry.

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 10:06:00 AM

Ms. Roberts, I am the host of a webpage featuring photo comparisons of Brushy and Billy The Kid. I believe he was truly Billy The Kid. I would love to hear any information you have gathered on him. My webpage is at http://www.musicplay.com/brushy.html Please email me at musicplay@mac.com if you have any comments or questions. I'd love to discuss your Uncle with you.

Posted on 02/18/2007 at 8:02:00 PM

My name is Karla Roberts. Bill Roberts (aka Brushy Bill Roberts was my great uncle. There has been such a controversy about my uncles true identity for so long. We would love to see it put to rest. I would appreciate any further information you have and might have in the future.

Posted on 05/12/2006 at 9:05:00 PM

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