Unidentified AND MISSING

Dedicated to bringing awareness to unidentified people

Tag: 2025

  • Topawa John Doe (May 19, 2025)

    Humane Borders map screenshot of case information at discovery coordinates

    Stock image of similar pants to the black pants found (Brand “Dickies”; style “Original 874”; size “36×32”)

    Topawa John Doe (May 19, 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: May 19th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Topawa, Pima County, Arizona, USA, 85639 (31°48’16.8″N 111°54’41.3″W (31.80466, -111.91146))
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2024 – 2025
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Up to 1 year (Humane Borders notes “< 3 months”)
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Near complete or complete skeleton
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Undetermined
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE: 23 – 57 years old
    • RACE: Uncertain
    • WEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • HEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: Unknown
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES: 
      • Previously broken his nose, which was healed but had not set properly – this may have resulted in a visible bump on the bridge of his nose
      • Rotated front top teeth and crowding of the top and bottom teeth

    BACKGROUND

    On May 19th, 2025, skeletal remains were discovered in a desert area West of Topawa, Arizona. The individual may have been deceased up to a year prior to discovery, with an estimated year of death of 2024 – 2025.

    It is believed that the individual was a male between 23 to 57 years of age. He had previously broken his nose, which was healed but had not set properly. This may have resulted in a visible bump on the bridge of his nose. He also had rotated front top teeth and crowding of his top and bottom teeth.

    His race, height, weight, eye colour, and hair colour could not be determined.

    Near the body a pair of “George” brand black boxer briefs and a pair of size 36×32 black “Dickies” brand “Original 874” style pants were discovered.

    (*Currently, I am focusing mostly on cases of migrants who passed when crossing the Mexico-United States border. A lot of these cases have very little information provided.*)

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – Near the body, the following was noted

    • Black boxer briefs (Brand “George”; no size noted)
    • Black pants (Brand “Dickies”; style “Original 874”; size “36×32”)

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office
    • Agency Contact Person: Bruce Anderson (Forensic Anthropologist)
    • Agency Phone Number: 520-724-8600
    • Agency Case Number: ML 25-1762

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department
    • Agency Phone Number: 520-383-3275
    • Agency Case Number: 250519060

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP147517

    REFERENCES

  • Atlanta John Doe/”Michael Alan Brown” (April 2025)

    Atlanta John Doe/”Michael Alan Brown” (April 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: April 16th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2025
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Not stated/Unknown
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Partial skeletal parts only
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • MANNER OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE GROUP: Adult – Pre 60
    • RACE: Caucasian
    • WEIGHT (MEASURED): 80 pounds (36.2874 kg)
    • HEIGHT (MEASURED): 5’11” (71 inches; 180.34 cm)
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: Brown
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES: None stated

    BACKGROUND

    On April 16th, 2025, Police officers were “…conducting a routine check…” of an abandoned motel in Atlanta, Georgia when they discovered human remains.

    The victim is believed to me an adult Caucasian male and is listed as “Adult – Pre 60” on NamUs. He weighed approximately 80 pounds and stood at approximately 5’11” in height. He had brown hairs. His weight and eye colour could not be determined.

    NamUs lists a possible name of “Michael Alan Brown”. I cannot find any further information about this name or even the case for that matter besides the NamUs listing. He is noted to have an estimated year of death of 2025 but no postmortem interval. Based on this, the earliest he may have died is 3.5 months (if we assume a strict 2025 timeline, it could very well have been late 2024 if it was half a month earlier). He is noted to be not recognizable – partial skeletal parts only, which to me sounds like he was fully decomposed as if decomposition was still occurring, they list that specifically as “not recognizable – decomposing/putrefaction”.

    No clothing or items are listed. I am inclined to think this may have been a homeless man, especially as it was an abandoned motel, who happened to pass there at some point in time. His weight is very low, but given he was already decomposed and it lists it as “measured” and not “estimated” as in his estimated weight in life, it is very likely the weight of his remains that were left. I am also curious why it says, “partial skeletal parts only”, as when bodies are found already decomposed and “intact” for lack of a better saying, it is listed as “complete or partially complete skeleton”. I wonder if animals scavenged his body at some point and thus some was missing? I could also be wrong and sometimes this is used rather than the complete/partially complete entry.

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office
    • Agency Phone Number: 404-613-4400
    • Agency Case Number: 2025-00976

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Fulton County Police Department
    • Agency Phone Number: 404-612-4000
    • Agency Case Number: 25-000350

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP153958

    REFERENCES

  • Ajo John Doe (February 2025)

    Stock image of the kind of shoes found (white “U.S. Polo Assn.” size US Mens 8)
    Arizona OpenGIS Initiative for Deceased Migrants Screenshot of coordinates (32.316303, -113.130572) and case information (ML 25-0640)

    Ajo John Doe (February 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY1: February 12th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY2: Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, 85321, USA (32°18’58.7”N 113°07’50.1”W (32.316303, -113.130572))
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2010 – 2023
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Approximately 2 – 15 years
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Partial skeletal parts only
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE GROUP: Adult – Pre 60
    • RACE: Uncertain
    • WEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • HEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: Unknown
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:  
      • Missing first molars on right and left side of lower jaw

    BACKGROUND

    On February 12th, 2025, partial skeletal remains were found in the remote desert West of Ajo, Arizona.

    NamUs states “Skeletal elements were discovered in a remote desert location by private citizens (USBP)”

    Authorities believe that the remains had been at that location for 2 to 15 years prior to discovery.

    The victim is believed to be an adult (pre 60 years old) Hispanic male. Due to the condition of his remains, his race, weight, height, eye colour, and hair colour could not be determined. He was missing the first molars on the right and left side of his lower jaw.

    Nearby, a red collared sweater with snap buttons “to be worn down or snapped up as a turtleneck”, white tennis shoes/sneakers, and a gray blanket with stripes were found.

    (*I will be doing a lot of cases of Doe’s who likely passed when crossing the Mexico-United States border. A lot of these cases have very little information provided.*)

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – Near the body, the following was noted

    • Red collared sweater with snap buttons “to be worn down or snapped up as a turtleneck” (Brand “Banana Republic”; size “Large”)
    • White tennis shoes/sneakers (Brand “U.S. Polo Assn.”; size “US Mens 8”)
    • Gray blanket with stripes

    NOTES – Things to note or discrepancies found during research

    • 1 DATE OF DISCOVERY – NamUs notes the date of discovery as February 12th, 2025, while the Arizona OpenGIS Initiative for Deceased Migrants map notes the reporting date as February 8th, 2025.
    • 2 LOCATION OF DISCOVERY – NamUs notes the Location as “W of Ajo”. I just wanted to note this.

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office
    • Agency Phone Number: 520-724-8600
    • Agency Case Number: 25-0640

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Pima County Sheriff’s Department
    • Agency Phone Number: 520-351-4600
    • Agency Case Number: 250212239

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP148666

    REFERENCES

  • Santa Teresa Jane Doe (April 28, 2025)

    (FIRST) Google Maps screenshot of coordinates – zoomed in (31.83736, -106.9994)
    (SECOND) Google Maps screenshot of coordinates – more zoomed out (31.83736, -106.9994)

    Santa Teresa Jane Doe (April 28, 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: April 28th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Santa Teresa, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, 88008, USA (31°50’14.5”N 106°59’57.8”W (31.83736, -106.9994))
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Not stated/Unknown
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Partial skeletal parts only
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • SEX: Female
    • ESTIMATED AGE: 17 – 21 years old
    • RACE: Hispanic / Asian / Native American
    • WEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • HEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 4’9” – 5’4” (57 – 64 inches; 144.78 – 162.56 cm)
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: Unknown
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:  None noted

    BACKGROUND

    On April 28th, 2025, the Battalion Search and Rescue group discovered partial skeletal remains in the desert between Highway 9 and Cross Tie Road in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office were alerted of this discovery “…and provided coordinates to the remains.” (NamUS)

    The victim is believed to be a Hispanic, Asian, or Native American female between 17 to 21 years old. She stood between 4’9” to 5’4” in height. Her weight, eye colour, and hair colour could not be determined.

    Near her remains, light coloured pants were discovered. These were by the brand “Cuidado con el Perro”, and were “MEX size 5” / “US size 2”.

    This woman was most likely migrating across the Mexico-United States border when she passed. Sadly, there is not much information regarding this doe or her case.

    (*I will be doing a lot of cases of Doe’s who likely passed when crossing the Mexico-United States border. A lot of these cases have very little information provided.*)

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – Near the body, the following was noted

    • Light coloured pants (Brand “Cuidado con el Perro”; size “MEX 5” / “US 2”)

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator
    • Agency Phone Number: 505-272-3053
    • Agency Case Number: 2025-03272

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office
    • Agency Phone Number: 575-525-1911

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP146853

    REFERENCES

  • Gila Bend John Doe (November 13, 2025)

    Reconstruction (Stephen Missal, date unknown)

    (FIRST) Google Maps Screenshot of coordinates – zoomed in (32.810533, -112.614167)
    (SECOND) Google Maps Screenshot of coordinates – zoomed out (32.810533, -112.614167)

    Gila Bend John Doe (November 13, 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: November 13th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Gila Bend, Maricopa County, Arizona, 85337, USA (32°48’37.8”N 112°36’51.0”W (32.810533, -112.614167))
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Not stated/Unknown
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Partial skeletal parts only (cranium only, no mandible)
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE: 20 – 40 years old
    • RACE: Hispanic
    • WEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • HEIGHT: Cannot estimate
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: Unknown
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:  None noted

    BACKGROUND

    On November 13th, 2025, a human cranium (with no mandible) was discovered in the desert in Gila Bend, Arizona, “…which is a known migrant crossing area.” (NamUs)

    The victim is believed to be a Hispanic male aged between 20 to 40 years old. His weight, height, eye colour, and hair colour could not be determined.

    As per the Maricopa County Medical Examiner: “Postmortem dental radiographs available. DNA will be entered into CODIS.”

    (*I will be doing a lot of cases of Doe’s who likely passed when crossing the Mexico-United States border. A lot of these cases have very little information provided.*)

    IDENTIFIERS

    • Dentals: Available (“Postmortem dental radiographs available”)
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Available (“DNA will be entered into CODIS”)

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner
    • Agency Contact Person: Christen Eggers, Sr. (Medicolegal Death Investigator)
    • Agency Phone Number: 602-506-3322
    • Agency Case Number: 25-12328

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP153450

    REFERENCES

  • Jacksonville Jane Doe (July 2025)

    Reconstruction by FaceLogics (15 August 2025)

    Jacksonville Jane Doe (July 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: July 21st, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, 32208, USA
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2025
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Not stated (likely minutes)
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Traumatic injuries
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Vehicular homicide (auto/pedestrian)
    • SEX: Female
    • ESTIMATED AGE GROUP: Adult
    • RACE: African American
    • WEIGHT (MEASURED): 139 pounds (63.0493 kg)
    • HEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 5’4” – 5’6” (64 – 66 inches; 162.56 – 167.64 cm)
    • EYE COLOUR: Brown
    • HAIR: Black (short; curly)
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:  
      • Tongue piercing (with white metal tongue ring jewellery)
      • Nipple piercings (with white metal nipple ring jewellery)
      • Possible birthmark on right side of abdomen

    BACKGROUND

    At around 3:30 p.m., on July 21st, 2025, a woman was struck and killed in a hit-and-run when crossing the street “…at the intersection of Wainwright Circle near Edgewood Avenue” in Jacksonville, Florida. Authorities responded and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The person that hit the woman did not stop after hitting her and then fled the scene. I will note that one or two sources claim that she was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office do state that she was found deceased at the scene of the crime. Some also state that the hit-and-run occurred between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m., while the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office state that it was “around 3:30 p.m.”.

    The authorities discovered that the person who hit and killed the woman was named Durrell Bradley. Bradley was arrested in early August of 2025. On August 15th, 2025, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated that Bradley was being held at the “…John E. Goode Petrial Detention Facility (Duval County jail) facing a felony charge for leaving the scene of a deadly crash”, but I am unsure what happened after this.

    The victim is believed to be an adult African American woman. She weighed 139 pounds and stood at 5’4” to 5’6” in height. She had brown eyes and black, short, curly hair. She also had a tongue piercing and both of her nipples pierced. She had a possible birthmark on the right side of her abdomen.

    She was found wearing a black sleeveless tube dress. She also had white metal jewellery in her tongue piercing and both of her nipple piercings.

    Sadly, there is not much more information about this woman or her case.

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – On the body, the following was noted

    • Black sleeveless tube dress (No brand or size noted)
    • White metal tongue ring
    • White metal nipple rings

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Jacksonville Medical Examiner’s Office – District 3 & 4
    • Agency Phone Number: 904-255-4000
    • Agency Case Number: 25-01500

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
    • Agency Phone Number: 904-630-0500
    • Agency Email: JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org
    • Agency Case Number: 25-418446

    AGENCY THREE

    • Agency Name: First Coast Crime Stoppers
    • Agency Phone Number: 1-866-845-8477 (1-866-845-TIPS)
    • Agency Website (Submit a Tip): Tip Form

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP149415

    REFERENCES

  • Los Angeles John Doe (December 2025)

    Los Angeles John Doe (December 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: December 8th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 90012, USA
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2025
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Same day
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Recognizable face
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE: 40 – 50 years old
    • RACE: Hispanic
    • WEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 150 – 160 pounds (68.0389 – 72.5748 kg)
    • HEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 5’7” – 5’9” (67 – 69 inches; 170.18 – 175.26 cm)
    • EYE COLOUR: Brown
    • HAIR: NamUs states “black, short, and straight” while LA Medical Examiner states “short, curly, brown”
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:
      • “Natural teeth”
      • Bruising in various stages to his face
      • Circular scars to his body (including one to his outer left hand)

    BACKGROUND

    On December 8th, 2025, two men were drinking alcohol together in the 1100 block of Laguna Avenue in Los Angeles, California, when one of the men left to buy more. When he returned a short time later, he discovered the other man unresponsive on the sidewalk and alerted authorities. Paramedics arrived but sadly pronounced the man dead at 2:38 p.m.

    The victim is believed to be a Hispanic male between 40 to 50 years old. He weighed between 150 to 160 pounds (LA Medical Examiner states “153 pounds” and “approximately 150 pounds”), and stood between 5’7” to 5’9” in height (LA Medical Examiner states “approximately 5’9”)

    For some reason, his hair description is different on the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner website and NamUs. The LA ME states that his hair was short, brown, and curly. NamUs states that it was short, straight, and black.

    He had brown eyes. He is noted as having “natural teeth”. He had bruising in various stages of healing to his face. He also had circular scars on his body, including one on his outer left hand.

    He was found wearing a black jacket, blue hooded sweatshirt, gray t-shirt, black tank top, black baseball cap, camouflage pants, gray shorts, and white and blue tennis shoes/sneakers.

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – On the body, the following was noted

    • Black Jacket (Brand “Dickies”; size “M”)
    • Blue hooded sweatshirt (Brand “Russell”; size “XL”)
    • Gray t-shirt (Brand “Launder”; size “2XL”)
    • Black tank top (Brand “George”; size “XL”)
    • Black baseball cap with “Champion” logo on front (No brand or size noted; presumably “Champion” brand)
    • Camouflage pants (Brand “Propper”; no size noted)
    • Gray shorts (Brand “0 to 5”; size “M”)
    • White and blue tennis shoes/sneakers (Brand “Puma”; size “9”)

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Los Angeles County Medical Examiner
    • Agency Phone Number: 323-343-0512
    • Agency Case Number: 2025-19140

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Los Angeles Police Department – Rampart Station
    • Agency Phone Number: 213-484-3400

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP154628

    REFERENCES

  • Aurora John Doe/Bridgewater Doe/”Ben” (April 2025)

    Photo from the Aurora Police news release (15 April 2025)
    Photo from the Aurora Police news release (15 April 2025)

    Photo from the Aurora Police news release (15 April 2025)

    Google Maps screenshot of the area he was found
    Google Maps screenshot of the area he was found
    Google Maps screenshot of the area he was found
    Google Maps screenshot of the area he was found

    (FIRST & SECOND) Google Maps screenshot of the area he was found

    Aurora John Doe/Bridgewater Doe/”Ben” (April 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: April 1st, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, 80011, USA
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2025
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: 1 – 2 weeks
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Insect/animal activity
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • MANNER OF DEATH: Not stated/Unknown
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE: 20 – 30 years old (“late 20’s to 30’s”) (An Aurora Police news release, published 15 April 2025, notes “in his 30’s”)
    • RACE: African American
    • WEIGHT: Cannot estimate (The Aurora news release notes “approximately 140 pounds” (63.5029 kg))
    • HEIGHT: 5’4” – 5’10” (64 – 70 inches; 162.56 – 177.8 cm) (The Aurora Police news release notes “approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall” (165.1 cm))
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: Black (short; curly)
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES: “No visible tattoos/scars”

    BACKGROUND

    On April 1st, 2025, Aurora Police officers responded “…to a physical altercation involving multiple parties near Interstate 225 and 6 Avenue” in Aurora, Colorado. When authorities were speaking to the people involved in the altercation, they were “…informed about human remains under the overpass crossing Toll Gate Creek near Potomac Street and Potomac Circle.” (Aurora Police Department Facebook post, 16 April 2025). The authorities went to this location where they did discover remains in a makeshift tent.

    The victim is believed to have been an African American male between 20 to 30 years old. According to NamUs, he stood between 5’4” to 5’10” though the Aurora Police news release (published 15 April 2025) states he was approximately 5’5”. He had short, curly black hair. His weight and eye colour could not be determined as per NamUs, though the Aurora Police news release states he was approximately 140 pounds. He is believed to have been deceased for 1 to 2 weeks before his discovery.

    He was found wearing a brown jacket (noted by an article by the Aurora Police news release states that it was a “…leather bomber-style jacket…”), a fluorescent green hooded sweatshirt, a heathered gray/black 3/4-sleeved hooded shirt with several metal gromets and gray strings along the sides (the Aurora Police news release states it  was a “…crop topped hooded sweatshirt…”), black sweatpants, camouflage shorts, light brown shearling-type boots, and black socks. A brown metal-toed boot (right) and an “apparent black plastic headband” were also found nearby.

    As per the Aurora Police news release, “The investigation to date suggests the deceased might be a transient named Ben who frequented the East Colfax and I-225 corridors before his death.”

    It seems like homeless people often stayed near and under this overpass, according to comments on an Aurora Police Department Facebook post about this Doe. I have looks on Maps and included some screenshots of the underpass I believe he was found at.

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – On the body, the following was noted

    • Brown jacket (Brand “rox&ALI”; size “WOMAN 3X”) (The Aurora Police news release notes it as “leather bomber-style”)
    • Fluorescent green hooded sweatshirt (Brand “Fruit of the Loom”; size “XL”)
    • Heathered gray/black 3/4-sleeved hooded shirt with several metal gromets and gray strings (No brand or size noted) (The Aurora Police news release notes it as “crop topped”)
    • Black sweatpants (Brand “32 Degrees”; size “XXL”)
    • Camouflage shorts (Illegible label)
    • Light brown shearling-type boots (Illegible labels; size “11”)
    • Black socks (Unknown brand; no size stated)

    Near the body, the following was noted

    • Brown metal-toed boot – right only (Inscribed ‘BRAMMA” and “The name to trust boots”; size “US 10-1/2”)
    • Apparent black plastic headband (Inscribed “BBTKCARE”)

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office
    • Agency Phone Number: 720-874-3625
    • Agency Case Number: 2025-01208

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Aurora Police Department
    • Agency Phone Number: 303-627-3100
    • Agency Case Number: AP25-60072

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP146896

    REFERENCES

  • Chicago John Doe/”Joseph Samuel” (February 2025)

    Stock image of the same shoes found with the victim, in the same colourway

    Chicago John Doe/”Joseph Samuel” (February 2025)

    • DATE OF DISCOVERY: February 20th, 2025
    • LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, 60619, USA (41°45’05.4″N 87°36’45.5″W (41.75150384, -87.61262525))
    • ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: Not stated
    • POSTMORTEM INTERVAL1: Not stated
    • CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Decomposition/putrefaction
    • CAUSE OF DEATH: Asphyxiation (hanging)
    • MANNER OF DEATH: Suicide
    • SEX: Male
    • ESTIMATED AGE GROUP/RANGE: NamUs notes an age group of “Adult – Pre 30”, Cook County ME states an age range of “21 – 30 years old”
    • RACE: African American
    • WEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 135 pounds (61.235 kg)
    • HEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 6’0” (72 inches; 182.88 cm)
    • EYE COLOUR: Unknown
    • HAIR: NamUs states “bald, shaved head”, Cook County ME states “short stubble”. (possibly black due to facial hair)
    • DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES:
      • Small black moustache and beard

    BACKGROUND

    On February 20th, 2025, a maintenance employee of a building located at 7856 South Eberhart Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, entered unit #312 “…for potential repairs” when they discovered a deceased individual. The unit was reportedly abandoned, though it is not stated how long for.

    At approximately 4:14 p.m., Chicago Police contacted the “Forensic Institute” (assuming this means the Robert J. Stein Institute of Forensic Medicine) to report the death of an unidentified individual.

    The victim had committed suicide by hanging.

    The victim is described as an African American male aged between 21 to 30 years old. He weighed approximately 135 pounds and stood at approximately 6’0” in height. He had a shaved head with potential short stubble, possibly black in colour. He also had a small black moustache and beard.

    The man was found wearing a gray and red striped long-sleeve hooded shirt, camel-coloured denim pants, blue high-top sneakers, black socks, and a light blue head scarf (noted as “durag” on NamUs but “head scarf” by the Medical Examiner)

    The Medical Examiner noted a potential name of “Joashua Samuel” for this Doe. I am not sure how this was determined. Sadly, there is not much information on this Doe.

    The photo included is a stock image of the same shoes found with the victim, in the same colourway.

    CLOTHING/ITEMS – On the body, the following was noted

    • Gray and red striped long-sleeve hooded shirt (Brand “ON THE BYAS”; size “Small”)
    • Camel-coloured denim pants (Brand “Bullhead Dillon”; size “30/30”)
    • Two blue high-top sneakers (Brand “Fila”; style/type “A-High Fade”; size “8.5”)
    • Two black socks (No brand or size noted)
    • Light blue head scarf/durag

    NOTES – Things of note or discrepancies found during research

    • 1 POSTMORTEM INTERVAL – Cook County Medical Examiner notes the Date of Incident as “02/20/2025 04:18:00 PM” and his Date of Death as “02/20/2025 03:55:00 PM” which is an approximate PMI of 23 minutes, but NamUs notes that he was not recognizable due to decomposition/putrefaction. NamUs also notes the time as 4:14 p.m. rather than 4:18 p.m.

    IDENTIFIERS – I could not find any information regarding identifiers

    • Dentals: Unknown
    • Fingerprints: Unknown
    • DNA: Unknown

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION

    AGENCY ONE

    • Agency Name: Chicago Police Department – 2nd District
    • Agency Phone Number: 312-747-8366
    • Agency Case Number: JJ 155910

    AGENCY TWO

    • Agency Name: Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office / Robert J. Stein Institute of Forensic Medicine
    • Agency Contact Person: Ponni Arunkumar, M.D. (Chief Medical Examiner)
    • Agency Phone Number: 312-666-0500
    • Agency Email: MEO.unknowns@cookcountyil.gov / medical.examiner@cookcountyil.gov
    • Agency Case Number: ME2025-01142

    OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS

    • NamUs Case Number: #UP143615

    REFERENCES