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Harris County Jane Doe (1976), a victim of a traffic accident in Houston, Texas, remains unidentified to this day.
Unidentified decedents are the name given to a person who has died through non-homicidal means in which law enforcement were unable to identify through conventional means. Currently there are over 40,000 unidentified decedents in the United States.
On December 17, 1961, the decomposing remains of a middle-aged or elderly white man were found in heavy underbrush on the shore of Sims Bayou in Houston, Texas. He had accidentally drowned, and investigators suspected that he may have been a victim of Hurricane Carla. He was estimated to be between 50 and 60 years old, was between 5feet 6inches and 5feet 9inches (168–175cm) tall and weighed between 135 and 145 pounds (61–66kg). He had short, thin, brown hair with hints of graying. He also may have been a heavy drinker, and appeared to be suffering from arthritis in his lower back. He was found wearing tan/khaki pants, a sweatshirt, and a green polo shirt. The area in which he was found was an area frequented by transients, and was one of the affected areas of the hurricane.[1]
Harris County Jane Doe (1976)
A black female was found alive on the side of Interstate 10 on September 30, 1976, in Houston. She was taken to a hospital where she later died due to an undisclosed cause. The woman was fivefeet eightinches (1.73m) tall and weighed 135 pounds (61kg) and had black hair and brown eyes. She was clothed, wearing a green turtleneck sweater, a flannel shirt that was blue, a matching pair of jeans, pink underwear and brown shoes. Her ears were pierced, yet she wore only one earring. A ring with a turquoise stone accompanied with a second ring were among her jewelry. She was between twenty-five and thirty-five years old at the time of her death.[2] The woman had seen a dentist before her death, as fillings were observed in her mouth.[3]
On June 3, 1977, a young white man was struck and killed by a car in Mesquite, Texas. He was estimated to be between 20 and 30, was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed between 160 and 170 pounds. He had long, light brown hair and brown eyes. During autopsy he was found to have an enlarged heart and may have suffered from heart murmur during life. He was found wearing a tan print T-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a pair of brown moccasins. He was also carrying a reddish colored guitar. He also may have been travelling with a dog. [4]
A young Hispanic man was found deceased near a highway on April 28, 1979, in Houston. He had died a short time before, but was not recognizable because he had suffered severe wounds of an unknown nature. He was between fifteen and twenty years old and was between five feet four to five feet eight inches (162–172cm) tall at a weight between 135 and 145 pounds. His hair was dark and he had a mustache. He wore an orange shirt, black pants and boots. He had scars on his hip and arm, from a burn and vaccination, respectively. A scar on his knee was also located.[5]
On June 28, 1980, the skeletal remains of a young white man were found in a ravine by campers in Matagorda County, Texas. He was estimated to be between 16 and 28 years old, was between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighed between 120 and 140 pounds. He had brown curly hair. Eye color could not be ascertained. He was found wearing a pair of blue jeans, a blue T-shirt with "Old Fords Never Die" imprinted on the front, a pair of white jockey shorts, a leather belt, a pair of white socks and a western-styled Cowboy hat. A pair of single-lens prescription eyeglasses were also found near the body. [6]
On July 22, 1980, the body of a young white woman was found on the side of a road in Chambers County, Texas. She had been struck by a vehicle on the same day. She was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old, was approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, and weighed approximately 103 pounds. She had shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She also had stria marks on her right hip and breast areas. Clothing items were not initially recorded by investigators. [7]
On November 28, 1980, the skeletal remains of a young white woman were found on a creek bank in George West, Texas. [8] She was estimated to be between 23 and 33 years old and was between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall. She had brown hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. She had had extensive dental work done in her life with various gold and silver fillings, as well as evidence of previously having braces. She was also slightly buck-toothed. She was found wearing a gray blouse with blue embroidery on the lapels, a silver or white metal bracelet, a bracelet with various charms, and plastic Diane Von Furstenburg brand prescription eyeglasses with the right lens missing. [9]
Jersey Village John Doe
Jersey Village John Doe
A man's body was found on November 15, 1982, in Jersey Village, Harris County, Texas. He was between thirty and forty at the time of his death when he was hit by a vehicle and subsequently succumbed to his injuries. He had six-inch brown hair, blue eyes and was five feet three inches tall at a weight of 116 pounds. He had received medical care when he was alive, as stitches were found under his right eye. The man also had scars on his chest, legs and hip. his clothing consisted of a green jacket, a shirt decorated with green and black squares, an undershirt, jeans, mismatched socks, brown gloves and cowboy boots.[10]
Harris County Jane Doe (1983)
Harris County Jane Doe (1983) may have had the first name "Mary."
A Hispanic or possibly Asian female was struck and killed by a moving vehicle on 7500 Katy Freeway on March 1, 1983, in Houston. She was between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-eight at the time of death.[11] The woman was between five feet six and five feet seven inches tall and weighed 126 pounds. Her hair was black and her eyes were brown and she had crude tattoos on her body, of a cross and the letters "Z" or "N," "C" and "P" accompanied with some dots. She wore a green shirt with matching socks, blue jeans, a pink bra and white shoes. In a tan purse she carried, a plaid shirt, several papers and a comb were found. It is possible that her first name was "Mary."[12]
On December 1, 1984, the skeletal remains of a young white woman were found in a wooded area in Wizard Wells, Texas. She had been deceased for at least three months. She was estimated to be between 23 and 29 years old and was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall. She had auburn or blonde hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained, however investigators believe she had a slender build. She had evidence of healed trauma to her spine and may have had issues with her feet during her life. Her teeth were all intact and she had composite dental fillings that were most likely given to her between 1978 and 1979. She was only found wearing a bra and a pair of panties. [13]
On December 28, 1984, the body of a young African American man was found in Braes Bayou in Harris County, Texas. He had died as the result of an accidental drowning a few hours prior to being found. He was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old, was approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed between 180 and 195 pounds. He had black hair and a small goatee, as well as brown eyes. He also had a one inch scar on his outer right shoulder. He was found wearing a gray sweatshirt, a pair of light green undershorts, a pair of brown loafers with yellow bands across the tongue, and eight pairs of socks. [14]
Smith County Jane Doe
Reconstruction of Smith County Jane Doe by Carl Koppelman
On October 1, 1985, the skeletal remains of a young white woman were found in a brushy gully along Interstate 20 in rural Smith County, Texas. She had been deceased for between a year to eighteen months. She was estimated to be between 20 and 32 years old, was 5 feet to 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed between 125 to 130 pounds. She had brown, red or dark blonde hair that was tied into a ponytail with a rubber band. She was found wearing a yellow knit pullover tank top with a lace collar and the phrase "Top Rail Country Music, Dallas, Texas" printed on the front, along with the picture of an armadillo, a pair of white 'Dickies' brand shorts, a bra, panties and canvas sandals. [15]
On March 24, 1986, a young white man was fatally struck by the propeller of a stolen Cessna airplane after the pilot failed to recover from a bounced landing and broken landing gear wheel. The man was then transported about four miles away and thrown into a river, and the aircraft was found burned later. The aircraft had been reported stolen on January 29. The man was estimated to be between 20 and 30 years old, was approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed between 185 and 190 pounds. He had black hair and a mustache, as well as a scar on his lower right abdomen. He was wearing a pair of Wrangler jeans, a blue T-shirt, and a pair of white sneakers.[16]
On May 2, 1986, a young white man was found hanging in his hotel room at the La Casita Hotel in Dallas, Texas. He had committed suicide. He was estimated to be between 20 and 25 years old, was approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 154 pounds. He had dark blonde or light brown hair and blue or gray eyes. He also had light freckling on his face. He was found wearing a white JCPenney T-shirt, a pair of Gap Pioneer blue jeans, a black cloth army-style belt, a pair of white JCPenney jockey shorts, a white metal link chain necklace with a white and black metal pendant, a black Casio digital watch and an empty brown billfold with the initials "PJK" on it.
The man had used the name "John Smith" when checking into the hotel, and had told employees that he was from New York City and had cancer. [17]
On June 4, 1987, the body of a young to middle aged Hispanic man was found in the Houston Shipping Channel at Wharf 17 in Houston, Texas. He had died of an accidental drowning a day prior to being found. He was estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old, was approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed between 115 and 125 pounds. He had medium length black hair and brown eyes. He had not had any dental work during his life. He was found wearing a long-sleeve blue or gray "Astor One" brand T-shirt, a pair of blue "Danyse-Edel" brand sweatpants with a white stripe down each leg, a pair of gray pants, and a pair of gray suede "Quints" brand lace-up shoes. He was also found carrying 38 cents in his pocket. [18]
On March 16, 1990, the skeletal remains of a young white or Hispanic man were found on the sand dunes of Mustang Island State Park in Nueces County, Texas. [19] He had been deceased for anywhere between a few months or two years. He was estimated to be between 17 and 25 years old, and was approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall. He had brown hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained, although he was noted as having a very small build. He was found wearing a pair of "Spaulding" brand swim trunks and a button-down shirt. A silver medallion was also found bearing an image of St. Benedict holding a cross in one hand and the book of his Rule in the other with the words "Crux S. Patris Benedicti" (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict) and "Ejus in obitu nostro presentia muniamur" (May his presence protect us in the hour of death) around the image on one side. The other side of the medallion had a cross with letters standing for various Catholic sayings in Latin. [20]
Bexar County Jane Doe (1990)
Bexar County Jane Doe (1990)
On November 1, 1990, the body of a young white woman was found in a drainage ditch on the side of a road in San Antonio, Texas. She had sustained trauma to her face, however the manner in which she received it is unknown. She was estimated to be between 18 and 26 years old, was approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed between 115 and 125 pounds. She had brown hair and brown eyes. She also had a scar on her abdomen from a Cesarean section that she had previously had. She had also had a right Salpingo-Oophorectomy. She was found wearing a black, short-sleeved blouse with a multicolor floral design, and a pair of red shorts with the name "Cantu" written on the cuff of the right leg. [21]
On February 2, 1997, the skeletal remains of a teenage African American boy were found under a tree in a ravine, just north of Interstate 30 in Fort Worth, Texas. A barrel was found nearby and a clothesline cord fashioned into a noose was found hanging from the tree. The boy was estimated to be between 15 and 20 years old, was between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds. He had black hair. He was found wearing a blue cotton shirt with a multi-colored design, black Levi jeans, boxer shorts, a pair of black Nike basketball shoes and a watch with a woven metal band painted gold. The area in which the boy was found was described as being not entirely secluded, but remote enough where it was not frequented. A comparison with missing persons reports from the area did not provide any clue to the man's identity.[22]
On December 17, 2000, the scattered skeletal remains of a young Hispanic man were found by a horseback rider in an open field in Needville, Texas. He was estimated to have been deceased for between three to nine months. He was estimated to be between 17 and 23 years old and was between 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches tall. He had dark brown hair. Weight and eye color could not be ascertained. He had a healed fracture on his tailbone and may have had a vitamin deficiency during life. Clothing found included a pair of blue jeans, two green shoelaces tied together, a black cloth bracelet with a "Guess" brand logo, a purple cloth bracelet, and a pair of brown suede "Pele" brand sneakers.
Recent testing found that he may have been from Guatemala or Southern Mexico. [23]
Gregg County Jane Doe
For the homicide victim found in 2006, see Lavender Doe.
The nearly completely skeletonized remains of a young adult female were found on May 21, 2002, by construction workers in Gregg County, Texas.[24] She was between seventeen and twenty-eight when she died, approximately two years before her remains were found on Highway 135. She was white, five feet one inch to five feet four inches tall and had a petite build.[25] She had a cleft palate that was never treated, which would be obvious to those around her. The cause of her death is unknown and her eye color and hair color were not possible to determine due to the decomposition of the remains. It has not been reported if any clothing was recovered from the scene.[26] Her face was reconstructed in 2014 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.[27] The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with her identification in October, 2020.[28]
On November 5, 2002, a Hispanic male was witnessed playing 'chicken' with traffic on Route 225 in Houston, Texas, where he would step in and out of traffic before he was eventually struck. He was later taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was estimated to be between 35 and 50 years old, was between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed between 195 and 205 pounds. He had short dark brown hair and a mustache goatee combo, as well as various scars along his body and a mole on his right cheek near his mouth. He was wearing a white T-shirt, denim pants and tan boots. Police submitted fingerprints of the victim to multiple police agencies throughout Texas, with no matches. They are now submitting his fingerprints to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as he was possibly from outside of the United States.[29]
On December 23, 2004, the decomposed remains of a young or middle aged white man were found by some boys in an abandoned barn in a wooded area near US Route 69 and Farm Route 2813, near Tyler, Texas. He was between 27 and 42 years old and was between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall. Weight, hair color and eye color were unable to be determined, however he was described as having a medium to large frame with average muscle development. He had died a few months before his discovery.
The DNA Doe Project was asked to assist with the man's identification on August 8, 2020. [30]
Walker County Baby Doe
On May 4, 2005, the body of a female newborn African American infant was found in a trash bag in a dumpster near an on-campus residence at Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas. The infant still had the umbilical cord attached, and coroners could find no signs of physical illness or trauma to the body. The infant was found in the dumpster as the university was letting out for the Spring Semester, and many students were discarding old items.
Othram Inc. was contacted in February 2021 to help identify the infant. [31]
On October 30, 2007, the body of a young Hispanic man was found in an open field, 100 yards away from the side of a road in Farmers Branch, Texas. He had died on the same day he was found through unknown means. He was estimated to be between 17 and 30 years old, was between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed 168 pounds. He had black hair styled in a mohawk and brown eyes. His ears had been pierced and he had circular scars on the anterior and posterior of both of his forearms and legs. He also had a tattoo of a barcode that read out "080387". He was found wearing a black and blue "Iron Fist" sweatshirt, a Reebok red shirt with "New Jersey" and "Jason Kidd" printed on the front, black "Athletic Works" brand jogging pants, a pair of red Converse sneakers, a square earring with a clear stone in the right ear, a gold metal bead necklace and a cloth band with a wingding around the left ankle. [32]
On October 22, 2008, the skeletal remains of a middle aged to elderly man was found at a homeless camp in Fort Worth, Texas. The man was estimated to be between 40 and 60 years old, and was between 6 feet and 6 feet 4 inches tall. Hair color, eye color, and weight could not be ascertained. The man was found to be missing all of his teeth, and he had various healed fractures on his body. His right foot had also been amputated, most likely close to the man's death. he also had a metal fragment wedged in his right hip. Clothing was too decomposed to be further specified on, however a notebook with a series of handwritten notes was found with the man. [33]
On December 29, 2009, a young white woman was struck by a car while crossing a street in Houston, Texas. She was estimated to be between 25 and 35 years old, was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 147 pounds. She had long brown hair and pierced ears. Eye color was not stated. She also had a colored Mickey Mouse tattoo on her left ankle. She was brought to the hospital nude, however reports from EMS at the scene state that she was wearing an Elkins High School jacket at the time of the accident as well as a yellow-metal hoop earring with a cherub sitting on the hoop. [34]
On November 14, 2011, the skeletal remains of a young white man were found in a wooded area near a residential development in Fort Worth, Texas. He had been at the location for approximately two years. He was estimated to be between 20 and 35 years old. Height, weight, hair color and eye color could not be ascertained. Clothing found included the remains if a pair of Levi Strauss jeans, a Hanes brand sock, a Mossimo shirt with yellow plastic applique, the elastic waistband of a pair of underwear, and a pair of Sears brand shoes that were found to have been sold between 2005 and 2006. [35]
On October 16, 2012, an anonymous tip led police to find an unidentified female body inside a black trash bag in Houston near Walters Road.[36] She is estimated to be fifteen to seventeen years old, 4-foot 7 to 5-foot 3 tall, possibly of mixed Caucasian and African American descent, and presumed to have died during the month of September 2012. She had a pronounced overbite and dental fillings in three of her lower molars.[37] She also had growth arrest lines on her thigh bones, indicating that she may have suffered from malnutrition or a severe illness as a child, and had 22 ribs rather than the typical 24. Her skull was asymmetrical (this may have been viable in her face) which may indicate that she had an illness or syndrome.[38]
She became known as "Smurfette Doe" as she was found wearing a distinctive blue-green T-shirt with Smurfette depicted on the front with daisies and the text "He smurfs me, he smurfs me not." She was also wearing a size 5 tan cargo pants as well as a black bra (34C), pink thong underwear, and a bobby pin in hair.[39][40][41]
On May 10, 2020, a young African American man was found washed ashore on a beach in Galveston, Texas. He was estimated to be between 16 and 35 years old, was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed between 140 and 150 pounds. He had black hair styled in medium dreadlocks and "dark" eyes, with the exact pigmentation unable to be determined. He was found wearing a pair of Under Armor slip-on sandals, a pair of black shorts, and a pair of gray Calvin Klein brand boxer briefs. [42]
Othram Inc. was contacted to help with the man's identification on July 10, 2020. Thus far, DNA testing has found that the man was of East African descent, most likely Somali Bantu or Kenyan Bantu. [43]
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