Identified! WA - Spokane, WhtMale 40-65, 362UMWA, 3 tattoos: Snake, Eagle, snake w/trees & panther/wolf, Jul'89 - Clifford Wayne Bippes

[victoriarobinson642]

SOLVED: After 34 years, Spokane John Doe (1989) is Identified

A biological son of the unknown man had uploaded his DNA profile into a genetic genealogy database; he had been adopted at birth and was in search of his biological family. Although he didn’t know who his biological parents were, he had done extensive family tree research and was able to provide a family name and possible leads on who his father may be. Investigators with the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office were then able to locate a living biological sister who submitted a DNA sample for reference testing. In October 2023, the reference test confirmed the sibling relationship between the unknown man and his sister, and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Veena Singh officially identified the man as Clifford Wayne Bippes, born in Tekoa, Washington on September 25, 1943.

Clifford, who served in the US Army, was the oldest of three siblings and is pictured with his family in the image at left. His sister last saw him about six months prior to his death, and at that time he had none of the pictured tattoos. She was unable to reach him for several months and reported him missing in January 1990, after he failed to call or visit on her birthday. She searched for him extensively, but was never able to find him. After exhausting all other avenues, she placed a headstone honoring him, listing his date of death as April 1991.

 

[Caring1]

SOLVED: After 34 years, Spokane John Doe (1989) is Identified

Unbelievable! Thank you!! His name has been returned to him. What great news today. A big high five to you and your entire team.

 

[othram]

Unbelievable! Thank you!! His name has been returned to him. What great news today. A big high five to you and your entire team.

Thank you!

 

[phantomstrider]

Thank you!

Glad he’s been identified. Good work othram.

 

[othram]

Glad he’s been identified. Good work othram.

Thanks!

 

[Mrs. Badcrumble]

She was unable to reach him for several months and reported him missing in January 1990, after he failed to call or visit on her birthday. She searched for him extensively, but was never able to find him. After exhausting all other avenues, she placed a headstone honoring him, listing his date of death as April 1991.

Oh, that's sad. Imagine if DoeNetwork and NamUs existed back then -she probably would've found him right away.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In July 1989, an employee at Spokane Northside Landfill in Spokane, Washington was using a bulldozer to clear an area of debris when he noticed that he had uncovered what appeared to be human remains. On further inspection, the body was that of a White male wearing blue slacks, a blue jacket, and a light-colored shirt. The man had visible injuries, including skin tears and broken bones. Today the landfill is private, but in 1989 it was unmonitored, open to the public, and only maintained by employees every 2-3 weeks. Because of the injuries and the accessibility of the landfill, the death was initially considered suspicious. However, an autopsy revealed that, rather than being the cause of death, the decedent’s injuries likely occurred when the body was struck by the bulldozer.

Decomposed Body found in Landfill in 1989 Now Identified

More than three decades later, a man whose body was found in a Spokane, WA landfill is now known to be Clifford Wayne Bippes, born September 25, 1943.

www.forensicmag.com

 

[madamx]

Rest In Peace Clifford. Glad his fAmily finally found closure.