ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — For more than 40 years, the man found dead by two campers in Volusia County was known only as “John Doe.”
His identity continues to be elusive for law enforcement, who are now hoping that AI may be able to solve the mystery.
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The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office on Monday released an AI-enhanced photo showing what the unidentified man looked like. Officials say the images come from his clay sculptures created decades ago.
Investigators believe John Doe was between 35 and 50 years old when two camping boys found his body in a wooded area in Ormond Beach on March 12, 1982.
Detectives said the man’s death was considered suspicious because he was found without any clothing, jewelry or personal effects. He was approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed approximately 150 pounds.
Previous efforts to identify him using DNA have revealed that most of his ancestral connections are French-Canadian, with more than 50% of his mixed heritage being Irish, Scottish and English.
He has genetic ties to Ontario and Quebec, and also competed as far away as Massachusetts, Illinois and Michigan. But even after 18 months of investigation and testing, authorities said they were unable to find any living relatives.
Investigators say the common ancestor identified is still very old, dating back to the 1750s.
Genealogy For Justice is sponsoring a reference DNA testing program for descendants of John Doe’s distant ancestors to help identify John Doe, the sheriff’s office said. This sponsorship is in memory of Volusia County homicide victims Dean Close and Tina Lynn Close.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to email the Sheriff’s Office at ColdCaseUnitTips@volusiasheriff.gov.
