FL FL - Wildwood, BlkMale, 40-60, UP6114, homicide, blunt trauma, in shallow grave, "Ermano" brand watch, blue penny loafers, Jan.'77

[citizen_sleuth]

NamUs #UP6114 / Doe Network 1311UMFL

Demographics
Sex: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Black / African American
Estimated Age Group: Adult - Pre 60
Estimated Age Range (Years): 40-60
Estimated Year of Death: N/A
Estimated PMI: N/A
Height: 5'5" (65 inches), Estimated
Weight: Cannot Estimate (Doe Network lists weight as 170 lbs)

Circumstances
Type: Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found: January 23, 1977
NamUs Case Created: October 27, 2009
ME/C QA Reviewed: July 19, 2010
Location Found: Wildwood, Florida
County: Sumter County
Circumstances of Recovery: Skeletal remains found near the 76 Truck Stop on Ventura Ranch west of SR 44 near Wildwood Florida. Apparently buried in shallow grave
Inventory of Remains: All parts recovered
Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton
Cause of Death: Homicide - Blunt trauma to the head

Physical Description
Hair Color: Unknown
Head Hair Description: Unknown
Distinctive Physical Features: Likely had muscular build, per Doe Network

Clothing and Accessories
- Watch "ERMANO 17 jewels incablog". Back of watch reads "waterproof, resistant of shock, dust and magnaism Elgin self-winding, stainless steel" (Near the Body)
- Brown button-down shirt (14 1/2 inch collar), brown cuffed pants (36 inch waist and 29 1/2 inch inseam), thin brown belt and white underwear (On the Body)
- Patent leather bright blue penny loafer shoes (size 8 to 9 possibly women's) (On the Body)

 

[PayrollNerd]

Ohhhh.... these 2 clues are worrisome.....

Circumstances of Recovery: Skeletal remains found near the 76 Truck Stop on Ventura Ranch west of SR 44 near Wildwood Florida. Apparently buried in shallow grave

Patent leather bright blue penny loafer shoes (size 8 to 9 possibly women's) (On the Body)

 

[branmuffin]

I don't know why the deceased is considered muscular. A 14 1/2 inch neck is not what I'd call a muscular neck and 36 inch waist on 29 inch inseam seems the UID was a bit heavy on the heavy size. The shoes give me pause. Could this possibly be a female?

 

[megs1477]

Patent leather bright blue penny loafer shoes (size 8 to 9 possibly women's) (On the Body)

I wonder what makes them think they are possibly women's? If it is the color? Or maybe a tag on the shoes. I have looked through quite a few pairs, and while there are women's that are very similar, they tend to be a little different. I am not sure exactly how to describe them. Narrower for one. These are very similar.

Vintage Johnston & Murphy Black Leather Penny Loafer Dress Shoes 12 M 15-0785 | eBay

Made in india and featuring top quality leather. Size 12 M. Preowned condition. Leather in excellent shape.

www.ebay.com

I just want to go on record and say I am getting a little worried by the number of shoes I have looked at in the past month thanks to WS.

 

[megs1477]

Second note on location, Wildwood, specifically the area around I-75 is a very transient area. The Florida Turnpike (from Orlando & SE Florida) merges with I-75 (from Tampa & SW Florida) just below the Wildwood Exit. Back in the day, this was the exit you stopped at for gas or anything else. There were no other convenient places to stop. There are numerous large gas stations and accommodations for truckers that have been there as long as I can remember. There was always a decent number of women looking to accommodate the truckers, hitchhikers, etc.
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[citizen_sleuth]

I wonder what makes them think they are possibly women's? If it is the color? Or maybe a tag on the shoes. I have looked through quite a few pairs, and while there are women's that are very similar, they tend to be a little different. I am not sure exactly how to describe them. Narrower for one. These are very similar.

Vintage Johnston & Murphy Black Leather Penny Loafer Dress Shoes 12 M 15-0785 | eBay

Made in india and featuring top quality leather. Size 12 M. Preowned condition. Leather in excellent shape.

www.ebay.com

I just want to go on record and say I am getting a little worried by the number of shoes I have looked at in the past month thanks to WS.

My best guess is that the shoes were closer in size to a womens 8 or 9 than a mens 8 or 9.

 

[megs1477]

Information is slightly different.
BBM

Sumter Sheriff Cold Cases
On January 23, 1977, at approximately 4:45PM, the skeletal remains of an unidentified male were discovered off of Florida SR-44 approximately 5 miles west of Interstate 75. The remains were uncovered inside what is known as the Ventura Ranch just inside the fence line. The cause of death was determined to be a homicide as a result of trauma to the head. The remains were that of a black male estimated to be between 57 and 62 years of age. The victim was believed to be approximately 5'6" and 170 lbs. He would likely have had a muscular build and his upper row of teeth were missing with three remaining on the lower row. The victim was found wearing a brown shirt, brown pants, and bright blue size 10 penny loafer style shoes. The victim had in his possession a men's stainless steel Ermano brand diver's style watch.