(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Franklin County Coroner Anahi M. Ortiz, M.D. today released a new artist's depiction of an unidentified man who was found dead in Franklin County in July.
A forensic artist with the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) created the likeness of the John Doe at the request of authorities with the Franklin County Coroner's Office.
The image, which is based on a photograph taken after the man's death, was designed in an effort to generate tips about his identity.
The John Doe was found dead on July 20, 2018, at Fairwood Park on Fairwood Avenue in Columbus. He is estimated to have been between 40 and 60 years old and was six feet tall. He had black and gray hair and was wearing a hospital-style shirt and pants, socks, and tennis shoes when he was found. He had no scars, marks, or tattoos on his body. Foul play is not suspected.
"This man did not have any identification on him when he died, and other leads have not led to answers about his identity," said Attorney General DeWine. "My office created this image with the hopes that someone will recognize him."
“Through collaboration with experts from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, my hope is that by releasing this photograph, we can provide closure to the family and friends of this man. As coroner, I take seriously our duty to serve the community of Franklin County and speak for those who cannot,” said Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz.
Ohio BCI's Criminal Intelligence Unit also released a public bulletin about the case today. An artist's depiction of a Franklin County Jane Doe was also created by BCI's forensic artist in July.
Anyone with information on either of these cases should contact the Franklin County Coroner's Office at 614-525-5290 or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 740-845-2406.
In addition to post-mortem images, BCI's forensic artist is available to assist local law enforcement with the creation of forensic facial reconstruction models to help identify unidentified remains and age-progression photographs to help locate missing persons.
BCI also offers the Ohio LINK (Linking Individuals Not Known) Program, a free service to police, coroners, and families of missing individuals. The LINK Program was established through the Attorney General's Office in 1999 to help match DNA taken from family members of missing individuals to DNA from unidentified remains. Samples of DNA submitted by family members as part of the LINK Program are compared only to DNA samples of unidentified remains submitted through similar programs nationwide.
Analysts with BCI's Missing Persons Unit can also provide case review, investigative assistance, link charts, and mapping.
Law enforcement officials or family members of missing persons interested in learning more about the services that BCI's Missing Persons Unit provides should call 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446).
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840