NJ NJ - Lawrence, UncMale 17-25, UP1768, poss left-handed, sickle cell anemia, Nov'79

[devertere]

From link, looks similar, imo.

oh my, he looks really similar

 

[BrownBear]

163UMNJ - Unidentified Male

Reconstructions of the victim.

Date of Discovery: November 21, 1979
Location of Discovery: Lawrence, Cumberland County, New Jersey
Estimated Date of Death: Unknown, during the 1970s
State of Remains: Skeletal
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to the head

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 17-28
Race: Unknown. Possibly biracial or of Mediterranean descent
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Possibly left handed, "Osseous manifestation of sickle cell anemia - cranial vault."

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. Tooth 30 has a missing filling and decay.
Fingerprints: Not Available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Deteriorated fabric, shirt.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
The victim's remains were found in wooded area near county road #629 of Lawrence Township.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: New Jersey State Police
Agency Phone Number: 800-709-7090 or 609-882-2000
Agency E-Mail: [email protected]
Agency Case Number: H207953

Agency Name: New Jersey Southern Regional Medical Examiner Office
Agency Phone Number: 609-861-3355
Agency Case Number: A-79-52

NCIC Case Number: U640558766
NamUs Case Number: 1768

Information Source(s)
NamUs
NBC Philadelphia
New Jersey State Police

Admin Notes
Added: Prior to 2005; Last Updated: 3/8/19

 

[Goecke]

What was treatment for sickle cell like in the 70s? I feel like that's our best bet for identifying him.

Also, I'm inclined to think he's black, or he might have one black parent and one biracial parent. Sickle cell is extremely common in people of sub-Saharan African descent, with some people from the Middle East and India also carrying the gene (side note- maybe Middle Eastern was mistaken for Mediterranean in this case?). Also, it's an autosomal recessive disease, meaning that both parents must carry the gene in order to have a child with the condition. While theoretically it's possible for anyone of any race/ancestry to carry the gene, it's statistically unlikely that he's not black.

 

[BrownBear]

2 Exclusions
MP3117 Steven Anderson 04/07/1975 Burlington, NJ
MP23673 Lawrence Verdell 03/03/1979 Camden, NJ

 

[Amstorrs]

2 Exclusions
MP3117 Steven Anderson 04/07/1975 Burlington, NJ
MP23673 Lawrence Verdell 03/03/1979 Camden, NJ

I saw the exclusions today and I’m SHOCKED it’s not Steven. After the recent revelations of the Little Miss Nobody / Sharon Lee Gallegos case I’m curious as to the method used to rule him out.