UNIDENTIFIED PERSON
CASE #: 1996-75
John Doe
Also Known As:
Trabuco Canyon John Doe (1996; OCSD 96-07901-MU)
Status:
Open
Date of Recovery:
Date of Recovery:
Jurisdiction:
Recovery Location:
Trabuco Canyon, California
Summary:
Partial skeletal remains of an unidentified young male were found on December 13, 1996, east of Trabuco Creek Road, about 1.7 miles north of Trabuco Canyon Road. The coroner estimates death between January 1995 and June 1996 and lists the manner as undetermined. His identity remains unknown.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Recovery:
Partial skeletal remains of an unidentified young male were found on December 13, 1996, east of Trabuco Creek Road, about 1.7 miles north of Trabuco Canyon Road. The coroner estimates death between January 1995 and June 1996 and lists the manner as undetermined. He was estimated to be 15-19 years old. The agency describes him as Hispanic. The coroner and DNA Doe Project describe an estimated age of 15-19; NamUs gives a broader range of 14-25. Dental findings included decay, an abscess, a restoration, and unerupted wisdom teeth. DNA Doe Project reports that genetic testing indicates Hispanic ancestry, likely including Indigenous ancestry, and lists the identification effort as active. Updated renderings have been released to assist recognition. The Orange County Sheriff's Department, Coroner Division, maintains this identification case under file 96-07901-MU. Anyone with identifying information can contact the Coroner Division at 714-647-7400 and quote that file number.
Case Last Updated:
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Share what you learnTimeline of Events
OCSD renewed its appeal for information identifying the young man.
OCSD announced genetic-genealogy work with DNA Doe Project and released updated images.
Partial skeletal remains of an unidentified young male were found on December 13, 1996, east of Trabuco Creek Road, about 1.7 miles north of Trabuco Canyon Road. The coroner estimates death between January 1995 and June 1996 and lists the manner as undetermined.
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