NV NV - Reno, WhtMal 50-60, UP150679, in fishing waders, Jul'79

[Melt71]

UP150679 Namus case created in September 2025. There are no ruleouts listed in Namus.

ME/C Case Number1979-0487

Demographics​

Biological Sex Male
Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian, Other
Estimated Age Group Adult - Pre 60
Estimated Age Range (Years) 50-60
Height 5' 11"(71 inches) , Measured
Weight 180-210 lbs, Estimated

Circumstances​

Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found July 13, 1979
NamUs Case Created September 26, 2025

Location Found​

Location Reno, Nevada 89501
County Washoe County
Found On Tribal Land No
Circumstances of Recovery Found submerged in the Truckee River. The decedent was wearing fishing waders, boots, and had a tattoo of "Don" on his left upper arm.

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Details of Recovery​

Condition of Remains Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction

Distinctive Physical Features​

Tattoo "Don" with two stars and scroll under name on left arm

 

[Warwick1991]

What a sad case. Waders can be dangerous, as they can fill with water and drag the wearer down. Surely someone out there was wondering why he didn't come home from a fishing trip.

 

[PatLaurel]

According to DoeNetwork, death is believed to have occurred around seven months prior.

He also had a leather wallet containing $633, quite a lot of money to be carrying around back in those days. It makes me wonder if he was from out of state?

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=2030umnv

2030UMNV - Unidentified Male​

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Date of Discovery: July 13, 1979
Location of Discovery: Washoe County, Nevada
Estimated Date of Death: 7 months prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Drowning

Physical Description​

Estimated Age: 55-68 years old
Race: White / Caucasian
Sex: Male
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200 lbs
Hair: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Left arm: Tattoo of "Don" with two stars and scroll under name.

Identifiers​

Dentals: Available
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Wearing fisherman's chest waders, Levis, a black belt, and a red and blue striped shirt.
Jewelry: Timex wrist watch.
Additional Personal Items: Leather wallet containing $633.

Circumstances of Discovery​

The victim was located submerged in the Truckee River in the Lockwood area of rural Washoe County.

Forensic Genealogy​

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office
Agency Contact Person:
Agency Phone Number: 775-785-6114
Agency E-mail:
Agency Case Number: 1979-0487
NCIC Case Number: N/A
NamUs Case Number: 150679
Former Hot Case Number: 570

Information Source(s)​

NamUs
Washoe County Coroner's Office

Admin Notes​

Added: Prior to 2013; Last Updated: 9/27/2025