CA CA - Broderick - WhtMale 25-35 - skeletonized, redwood coffin in basement, handmade shirt buttons, likely died during early 1900s, possible displaced

[lightofmine99]

Broderick John Doe (1986)
a.k.a "Broderick Coffin Doe"
UP7484 (NU)​

Circumstances:

On May 12, 1986, the remains of a Caucasian male were discovered in Broderick, California. Details surrounding the discovery are not included on the John Doe’s NamUs profile. The remains were skeletonized and found with a redwood coffin which had “square-headed nails.” Also found with the remains were two wooden buttons described as “homemade” and "lacquered,” which suggest the John Doe’s burial likely dates to the early 1900s.

A PDF document available on the Yolo County Sheriff's Department website reveals further details. The document, which is a coroner case report, indicated that the John Doe was originally thought to be Native American (for unspecified reasons) and was found in the basement of a residence on 610 Fifth Street in Broderick (West Sacramento). The report states that the John Doe’s skull is available, but while there is an estimated height of 5'7" inches given, it isn’t clear whether the skull was the only portion of the John Doe found. Investigators have been unable to determine who owned this property in the early 1900s.

Interestingly, the wording in the coroner’s report indicates the skull was not found within the coffin but within its vicinity in the basement.

NamUs: UP7484 (ARCHIVE)
Coroner Report (ARCHIVE)

 

[cenazoic]

Crazy this case hasn’t been entered here before now!

 

[Leo :) <3]

There's a number of things it could really be. Maybe a murder, a family member that died at home and was kept, even a grave robbery. What do y'all think??? I'm curious

 

[cenazoic]

Since it was found in the basement of an existing (but later) structure, its also possible he was buried on what was then open land, owned by him or his family.

 

[lightofmine99]

I wish it specified whether this John Doe is only a skull or if he is a complete/partial skeleton. Even with the buttons and coffin, he could still be a very old, forgotten medical specimen or cadaver. I suppose if he is just a skull he could still have been a specimen. The coroner’s report uses the word “excavation” when referring to the discovery of the coffin.

 

[cenazoic]

The coroner’s report says “skull”, but Namus says

Details of Recovery​

Inventory of Remains
All parts recovered

Condition of Remains
Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton

I don’t know how they could estimate a height/sex with just a skull, so I’m assuming Namus is correct.

The remains were cremated according to the coroner, so unlikely to ever be identified, I would think.