PA PA - Philadelphia, WhtMale 30-50, UP17730, from Schuylkill River, identifying markings on clothes with name 'Bruse Bennett', Crazy Legs tattoo, Jul'78

[Romulus]

Unidentified Person/NamUs #UP17730
Male, White/Caucasian
Date Body Found: July 18, 1978
Location Found: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Estimated Age Range: 30-50 Years

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Estimated Age Group: Adult - Pre 50
Estimated Age Range (Years): 30-50
Estimated Year of Death: 1979
Estimated PMI: 2 Days
Height: 6' 3"(75 inches) , Estimated
Weight: 230 lbs, Estimated

Physical Description​

Hair Color: Brown
Head Hair Description: Dark brown
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description: None
Left Eye Color: Unknown
Right Eye Color: Unknown
Eye Description--

---

Distinctive Physical Features​

Item
Description
Tattoo
"Crazy Legs" on Upper Left Arm

Clothing and Accessories​

Item
Description
Accessories
$4.40
Near the Body

Clothing
"Hagan" Slacks- Tan Size 37 waistShort-sleeved sport shirt - Light gray and blue
White boxer shorts*
Ident. marking on inner seam of shirt and on undershorts in name of "Bruse Bennett"

Location Found ​

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128
County: Philadelphia County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)--
Found On Tribal Land: No

Circumstances of Recovery: White male recovered from the Schuylkill River at River Rd. He was wearing clothing, which was subsequently determined to have at one time belonged to a patient at the Veterans Hospital in Coatesville, PA. Identifying markings were on teh inner seam of a shirt and his undershorts, in the name of "Bruse Bennett", who was determined to be alive during the investigation.

 

[HopeRains]

Searching off of "Crazy Legs" (the tattoo), this phrase seems to be primarily associated with athletes, particularly Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. He was a college and professional football player who was given the nickname in the 1950s because of his running style; he further set a record of 1495 receiving yards in 12 games and retained that record for 20 years.

Perhaps this man was a fan, an athlete himself who was given the name for his ability, etc. Given his stature, I can see this as a possibility.

 

[CCJD]

From NamUs report printed 4/8/2018:

Fingerprint information is available elsewhere
Dental information/charting is available and will be entered later
DNA: sample is currently not available

 

[HopeRains]

Noticing that Namus record has est year of death as 1979 with body being found in 1978 and case # being with 78, guess they just need to correct.