Identified! PA - Wolf Creek, Male, Burned body along I-80, Mercer Co, Nov'80 - Edwin Rodriguez

[catherine.]

I have lived in this area my entire life and have never heard anything about this poor guy. I cannot find anything anywhere about him. I can't find record of him in NamUs or in this thread, so I apologize if there is already one. This is a very high traffic area, but it's a small town and I'm shocked this isn't talked about. Hoping someone can investigate this better than I have been able too.

CASE: Media Release #2367, Criminal Homicide, Unknown Victim, Unknown Suspect(s) – Wolf

On November 6, 1980, the victim’s body was found burned near Interstate 80 in Wolf Creek Township, Mercer County. The autopsy ruled the victim’s death a homicide. Due to burns, a composite was made of the victim’s face. The victim is believed to be a white male, dark eyes, dark hair, 5’8”, 115 lbs., and described by autopsy doctor as poorly nourished. The victim has not yet been identified. The victim was found wearing a blue t-shirt with the letters “we, wi, sr, or wp” on the right front of shirt and brown pants.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Linking the composites here.
I don't see him in DoeNet either.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

1948DMPA - David Cruz
Weight is off, but I guess that could be incorrect. Otherwise, this could be David.

 

[CCJD]

He used to be on NamUs. UP # 53274
Case Created: November 4, 2018
Was either removed (or just hidden from public view) around the beginning of October 2019. I emailed Crime Stoppers through their site on 10/5/2019 asking about the status of the case but never got an answer.

Both articles are from the Pittsburgh Press - 11/7/1980 and 11/9/1980.

 

[CCJD]

1948DMPA - David Cruz
Weight is off, but I guess that could be incorrect. Otherwise, this could be David.

Another pic of David Cruz

 

[victoriarobinson642]

The article says 18-20 so I figure it's probably not him.

 

[catherine.]

Based on the articles CCJD posted (thank you for those btw) it sounds like he was found near the on/off ramp of Interstate 80 and Route 173. This is only minutes from the Route 8 truck stop in Barkeyville and the Interstate 79 interchange, so it really sounds like he could be from anywhere.

 

[catherine.]

I have emailed Crime Stoppers also asking about the status of this case. I also submitted him to DoeNetwork, so we shall see.

I found Amadeo Vigil: 4244DMCO - Amadeo Vigil

He's a bit older and 2 inches shorter, but all of that could be off. If he was out on the road, going from place to place, he could have lost the weight and become "poorly nourished." I wasn't sure if that just meant he was underweight or had other issues they discovered during autopsy that showed poor nutrition.

 

[Nox Aeterna]

I have lived in this area my entire life and have never heard anything about this poor guy. I cannot find anything anywhere about him. I can't find record of him in NamUs or in this thread, so I apologize if there is already one. This is a very high traffic area, but it's a small town and I'm shocked this isn't talked about. Hoping someone can investigate this better than I have been able too.

CASE: Media Release #2367, Criminal Homicide, Unknown Victim, Unknown Suspect(s) – Wolf

I have been here since 85 and I haven’t heard of this either. I am a newbie on the site and figured I would try looking around locally for somewhere to start. I had no idea how local I would actually find.

 

[CCJD]

Article from Greenville Record-Argus 3/16/1981
Greenville Record Argus Archives, Mar 16, 1981, p. 1
(subscription required)

 

[CCJD]

Clipping from The News-Herald, 2/28/1981
Franklin News Herald Archives, Feb 28, 1981, p. 8

 

[CCJD]

Identified!

In 2007, a DNA profile was obtained from the victim through evidence collected at the 1980 autopsy. In January 2019, the victim’s DNA profile was sent out for testing and a genetic genealogy screening. A first cousin of the victim was identified and contacted, which led to the identification of the victim as 18-year-old Edwin Rodriguez, from Chicago, Illinois.

State police say they've cracked a 42-year-old cold case in Mercer County

The body of a teenage boy was discovered burning on the side of Interstate 80 in 1980.

www.wtae.com

 

[catherine.]

Wow! I just thought of this man on Friday, and today I saw the article that you posted. Glad he has a name after all this time.

 

[CCJD]

Due to the advancements in technology and funding provided by the district attorney’s office for advanced testing and screening, in 2007 a DNA profile was obtained from the victim through evidence collected at the 1980 autopsy. In January 2019, the victim’s DNA profile was sent to Parabon NanoLabs for DNA Phenotype testing and a genetic genealogy screening. A first cousin of the victim was identified and contacted, which led to the identification of Rodriguez, who was from Chicago, Illinois.

State Police Crack 42-Year-Old Homicide Case Involving Burning Body Found in Mercer County

MERCER, Pa. (EYT) – After 42 years, members of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop D Criminal Investigation Assessment Unit, utilizing DNA testing and genealogy methods, identified the victim, Edwin Rodriguez, and accused, Nestor Quintanal, in a 1980 homicide cold case in Mercer County.

explorevenango.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

State police: Mercer County cold case closed after 4 decades

Pennsylvania state police say modern DNA testing and genealogy methods allowed them to close a 42-year-old Mercer County cold case and provide closure to the victim’s family. The remains of Edwin Rodriguez, of Chicago, Ill., discovered in 1980 in Wolf Creek Township, were positively identified...

triblive.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

DNA testing, genealogy tools help solve 1980 Pa. cold case murder

Edwin Rodriguez was 18 when he and a family friend left Chicago for Florida in the fall of 1980, and Rodriguez’s family never heard from him again.

www.fox29.com

Pennsylvania cold case murder solved with DNA testing, genealogy tools

WOLF CREEK, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state police say they have solved the slaying of a Chicago man whose burning body was found 42 years ago near Interstate 80 in a northwestern town. Edwin Rodrigu…

www.abc27.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Genealogy Helps ID Both Victim and Suspect in 1980 Homicide

After 42 years, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, utilizing DNA testing and genealogy methods, identified the victim, Edwin Rodriguez, and accused, Nestor Quintanal, in a 1980 homicide cold case.

www.forensicmag.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

State police: Mercer County cold case closed after 4 decades

Pennsylvania state police say modern DNA testing and genealogy methods allowed them to close a 42-year-old Mercer County cold case and provide closure to the victim’s family. The remains of Edwin Rodriguez, of Chicago, Ill., discovered in 1980 in Wolf Creek Township, were positively identified...

triblive.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

DNA testing, genealogy tools help solve cold case murder in Pa.

WOLF CREEK (AP) — Pennsylvania state police say they have solved the slaying of a Chicago man whose burning body was found 42 years ago near Interstate 80 in Mercer

www.bradfordera.com