MD - Bethesda, WhtMale 18-59, UP1886, w/ Iron Cross & WW1 memorabilia & Tactical Gear, found in a drainage pipe under a manhole cover, Apr '85

[Aurora90]

Date Body Found
April 30, 1985
Location Found
Bethesda, Maryland
Est. Age Range
18 - 59 Years

ME/C Case Number 142941-A​

Estimated Age Group Adult - Pre 60 Years​

Estimated Age Range (Years) 18 - 59​

Estimated Year of Death 1984-1985​

Estimated PMI Months​

Sex Male​

Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian​

Height 5'-6" - (66 - inches) Estimated​

Weight 150 - lbs Estimated​

​

Circumstances of Recovery​

Subject found lying in a water system drainage pipe under a manhole cover in a wooded area near the Baltimore Washington Beltway.​

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​

Condition of Remains​

Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction​

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​

Hair Color Brown​

Head Hair Description Brown, medium long​

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​

"Clothing"​

Camoflage bandana, black snap jacket, camoflage pants with blue cloth belt, blue nylon undershirt, blue cotton T-shirt, blue underpants​

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​

"Footwear"​

Black cloth shoes​

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​

"Jewelry"​

1 necklace cross with blue stones​

2 rings: one silver with green stone, one silver with scroll design​

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"Accessories"​

folding knife in carrying case, one wallet with one large coin​

​

 

[iamshadow21]

Date Body Found
April 30, 1985
Location Found
Bethesda, Maryland
Est. Age Range
18 - 59 Years

ME/C Case Number 142941-A​

Estimated Age Group Adult - Pre 60 Years​

Estimated Age Range (Years) 18 - 59​

Estimated Year of Death 1984-1985​

Estimated PMI Months​

Sex Male​

Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian​

Height 5'-6" - (66 - inches) Estimated​

Weight 150 - lbs Estimated​

​

Circumstances of Recovery​

Subject found lying in a water system drainage pipe under a manhole cover in a wooded area near the Baltimore Washington Beltway.​

---

​

Condition of Remains​

Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction​

---

​

Hair Color Brown​

Head Hair Description Brown, medium long​

---

​

"Clothing"​

Camoflage bandana, black snap jacket, camoflage pants with blue cloth belt, blue nylon undershirt, blue cotton T-shirt, blue underpants​

---

​

"Footwear"​

Black cloth shoes​

---

​

"Jewelry"​

1 necklace cross with blue stones​

2 rings: one silver with green stone, one silver with scroll design​

---

​

"Accessories"​

folding knife in carrying case, one wallet with one large coin​

​

This Doe had a LOT of jewellery. Crosses, semi precious stones, a beautiful crane in gold/yellow metal, and more. Not all the photography is very clear, but there are a lot of distinct and quirky pieces. There are at least two items that are police themed. No idea if they're legit; they look a bit cereal box to me.

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP1886

View NamUs unclaimed person case UCP1886 for -- -- missing from Bethesda, Maryland. Date body found: Apr 30, 1985. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

 

[Aurora90]

He has this arm band above
I found a similar item on Ebay titled "Vintage US Armed Forces Police Armband" here is the item

He was also wearing this badge as per Namus:


Found that exact item here it is a Rothco Security Badge


He was also found with this:


Found it on Etsy: Brass Art Nouveau French Casting Swan Pin

and he was found with much more...

I am still digging.

 

[Aurora90]

Doe was found with backbag and glasses and a timex watch.... that matches with missing info of Samuel Norris Campbell?

 

[DS2021]

Very odd

 

[iamshadow21]

I think this man was either doing some sort of underground job where he was a "bodyguard" or sorts... they way in which he was concealed was intentional. Plus all the gear seems like he was trying to project an image of strength.


He has this arm band - View attachment 534246
I found a similar item on Ebay titled "Vintage US Armed Forces Police Armband" here is the item

He was also wearing this badge as per Namus:
View attachment 534247


Found that exact item here it is a Rothco Security Badge
View attachment 534248



He was also found with this:
View attachment 534249

Found it on Etsy: Brass Art Nouveau French Casting Swan Pin

and he was found with much more...

I am still digging.

Well, he definitely wasn't a first world war veteran, and he had that medal, too.

His items make me think he was sleeping rough or camping out. Security guards don't tend to carry their own eating utensils, can opener, sewing thread, and toothbrush. I spot a thimble and a lice comb, too.

MOO

 

[Aurora90]

Photo of Sam:



Items John Doe was found with...

 

[Aurora90]

Well, he definitely wasn't a first world war veteran, and he had that medal, too.

His items make me think he was sleeping rough or camping out. Security guards don't tend to carry their own eating utensils, can opener, sewing thread, and toothbrush. I spot a thimble and a lice comb, too.

MOO

Agreed. I amended my post because I see that now, I was still going through the photos.. its all very strange.

 

[iamshadow21]

Agreed. I amended my post because I see that now, I was still going through the photos.. its all very strange.

Homeless, but organised. I think he could have been a veteran. With that age range, I think it'd be Vietnam or Korea.

MOO

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Some odd inscription IMO on the reverse of the apparent 1914-1918 WWI style pendant. Perhaps reading (per my no longer young eyes):

“Joe’s MCN. # 128 BooB S*CKS *U” (last word correctly spelled likely to be advertiser censored)

Also noting that the rear pin stud has been folded over. Perhaps so that it can be carried without impaling someone? It could not readily be worn with that modification. MOO

 

[Aurora90]

Is there a name on this backbag or is it just the logo of the bag?

 

[iamshadow21]

Some odd inscription IMO on the reverse of the apparent 1914-1918 WWI style pendant. Perhaps reading (per my no longer young eyes):

“Joe’s MCN. # 128 BooB S*CKS *U” (last word correctly spelled likely to be advertiser censored)

Also noting that the rear pin stud has been folded over. Perhaps so that it can be carried without impaling someone? It could not readily be worn with that modification. MOO

Looks like it's German, if it's legit. It's a frontline service medal, so I assume it's pretty common.

The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[iamshadow21]

That's an Indian head penny in his wallet. Probably worth something. I think this Doe was something of a collector, coins and medals.

Indian Head cent - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Aurora90]

.

 

[Aurora90]

Did some more digging and found the Swan emblem was manufactured by Sam Biern's shop in NYC.


Exquisite SWAN HERON BIRD SAM BIERN NEW YORK Vintage Brass Button | #484057486

Great collector piece. Beautiful design of a Swan or Heron (bill looks more like a Swan) Signed by artist Sam Biern. Sam Biern started making buttons in 1933 and for 28 years his company, Sam Biern Inc. manufactured buttons, buckles, ornaments and costume jewelry. His company was located at 260 West 39th Street, New York City.

 

[Aurora90]

If you look closely what was found with John Doe looks similar to his penny found on Ebay. It looks like the same logo/acronym. R&C "Roe & Co"

 

[Puzzleworth]

If you look closely what was found with John Doe looks similar to his penny found on Ebay. It looks like the same logo/acronym. R&C "Roe & Co"

That style is/was popular for monograms--look at Patricia McGlone's ring, for example. This Doe's item (I'm not sure what it is) reads JSS, I think. It's silverplate.

The Honor Cross pin is either a replica or an altered medal, as the medal was suspended from a ribbon, not pinned.

The other cross is inlaid stone, maybe howlite, in the Southwest Native style but probably not authentic NA. Google Lens turns up some identical designs with no makers' marks.