Identified! FL - Stuart, WhtMale Adult, UP72202, grassy area near RR tracks, Jul'20 - Richard Harmon Whitton

[YaYa_521]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

No photo.

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP72202
Male, White / Caucasian
Date Body Found July 13, 2020
Location Found Stuart, Florida (misspelled in NamUs-Staurt)
Estimated Age Range--
Estimated Age Group Adult
Estimated Year of Death--
Estimated PMI--
Height 5' 4"(64 inches) , Measured
Weight 95 lbs, Measured
Hair Color Unknown
Eye Color Unknown

Accessories - Maroon color ball cap - Near the Body
Clothing - Gray T-shirt with a Red "Dead Pool" symbol, Red Sunglasses, Gray Jeans, White New Balance sneakers - On the Body

Circumstances of Recovery
On 7/13/20 at 1609 hours, Investigator Recco was notified of unidentifiable remains located in an overgrown grassy area just west of the railroad tracks in the vicinity of Railroad Avenue and SE Garden Street in Stuart. MEO was requested on scene to help aid in the determination of cause and manner of death. Upon arrival, the Decedent was found laying in an overgrown grassy area approximately 50-60 feet from the railroad tracks. Evidence was found near the body indicating he was possibly drinking alcohol and ingesting Kratom prior to death. No obvious signs of trauma or foul play were seen. The male appears to be Caucasian.

Inventory of Remains--
Condition of Remains - Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction

 

[YaYa_521]

Some information on Kratom.
Kratom DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

 

[Dylansmom08]

This person appears to be underweight based on the height and weight given and was most likely a train traveler. I have a few friends that live this lifestyle and the only way I know where they are is when they get to a city and find a place with free wifi they will check in from time to time letting me know they are still alive, how long they are planning to be in the area and where they are planning to go next. It would be very hard to figure out where this man was originally from unless he was doing the periodic check in with someone as well and they report him missing. I will ask my friends next time they check in if they recognize anything about him or the area he was found in maybe we will get lucky.

 

[iulia]

The NamUs page for this UID is down.

 

[iulia]

He was identified as Richard Harmon Whitton

Meeting Minutes

www.fdle.state.fl.us

Meeting Minutes 2022 February 18, can't link directly to the file.

On July 13, 2020, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office notified investigators at the District 19 Medical Examiner’s Office of unidentified remains found in an overgrown grassy area just west of the railroad tracks in the vicinity of Railroad Avenue and SE Garden Street in Stuart. Investigator Kimberly Loucks arrived on scene and observed what appeared to be a Caucasian male lying approximately 50-60 feet from the railroad tracks. Evidence found near the body indicated the decedent was possibly drinking alcohol and ingesting Kratom prior to death. No obvious signs of trauma or foul play were seen. Due to advanced stages of decomposition, fingerprinting was nearly impossible. Forensic Technician Gibbons attempted to rehydrate the decedent’s fingers to obtain fingerprints for identification. Her diligence and consistent effort paid off and prints were able to be obtained. Fingerprint cards were made and turned over to analysts at the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. On December 3, 2021, a fingerprint comparison was made and matched to those of Richard Harmon Whitton. Mr. Whitton’s mother reported him missing from the Stuart area and had not heard from him in over a year.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/lowellsun/name/richard-whitton-obituary?id=32380936

Richie loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, biking and skiing. As an avid sports fan he always rooted for the Patriots and Red Sox and loved sharing texts with his sister at game time. Richie was a hard worker and on his off time loved listening to music. His passion for the Beatles was shared with his dad.