FL FL - Little Talbot Island, WhtMale 79UMFL, 40-60, leaning against tree, Jan'90

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The decedent was identified as Joseph Paul Connors, a 52yo white male. The new press release states that foul play is not believed to be involved, which is contradictory to previous reporting that the person was shot and that the death was considered a homicide.

Link to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office video: 5K views · 98 reactions | A man whose identity was unknown for nearly four decades now has his name back. This is an update to a story we shared with you in July 2024. In January 1990, a couple hiking near Little Talbot Island discovered the skeletal remains of a man near the Duval and Nassau County line. No ID was found. Despite investigative efforts, the case went cold and stayed that way for 36 years. All the detectives had was a forensic sketch of what he may have looked like. In 2024, our agency and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement submitted forensic evidence to Othram Labs in Texas. Scientists were able to build a DNA profile and through genetic genealogy testing, detectives located potential relatives. One of whom helped identify the man as her first cousin, Joseph Paul Connors, known as “Buddy.” Our Cold Case Unit detectives recently met with Mr. Connors’ cousins and shared information. Mr. Connors was born in May 1937, served in the United States Navy, and worked for the United States Postal Service. No foul play is suspected in his death. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement facilitated the case being researched by Othram Labs, through grant funds from the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains Program. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Maybe he had a known history of mental health troubles, or they found other evidence to suggest he took his own life.https://dnasolves.com/articles/jacksonsville-joseph-buddy-connors-1990/