TX TX- Matagorda County, WhtMale, 16-28, UP6230, skeletal in ravine, June 1980

cheemsg

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  • #1
Very shocked he doesn't have a thread. He's probably the John Doe that fascinates me the most.
U8708004.jpg

He was found in a ravine by 'campers'. I assume he was found in a campsites but its not specified. That's all we know about his recovery, I can't find anything on Newspapers.com.
He's a white male aged 16-28. He was found skeletal, PMI is 6-18 months.
He was 5'11 to 6'1. He had brown curly hair and wore glasses.
He wore jeans, a blue T-shirt with 'Old Fords Never Die' motif and a cowboy hat.
His reconstruction has stuck with me for a long time. He's supposed to be as young as 16 but it makes him look a lot older. They also put him in a white shirt, rather than picturing the Old Fords Never Die T-shirt which is probably quite distinctive. I think the hat and shirt were photoshopped onto the original reconstruction because you can see curly hair behind the top of his hat.
As far as I can find, this case has got no coverage at all, despite him possibly being very young AND having a reconstruction.

NAMUS
TxDPS Missing and Unidentified Persons Online Bulletin
 
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  • #2
Very shocked he doesn't have a thread. He's probably the John Doe that fascinates me the most.
View attachment 379936
He was found in a ravine by 'campers'. I assume he was found in a campsites but its not specified. That's all we know about his recovery, I can't find anything on Newspapers.com.
He's a white male aged 16-28. He was found skeletal, PMI is 6-18 months.
He was 5'11 to 6'1. He had brown curly hair and wore bi-focal glasses.
He wore jeans, a blue T-shirt with 'Old Fords Never Die' motif and a cowboy hat.
His reconstruction has stuck with me for a long time. He's supposed to be as young as 16 but it makes him look a lot older. They also put him in a white shirt, rather than picturing the Old Fords Never Die T-shirt which is probably quite distinctive. I think the hat and shirt were photoshopped onto the original reconstruction because you can see curly hair behind the top of his hat.
As far as I can find, this case has got no coverage at all, despite him possibly being very young AND having a reconstruction.

NAMUS
TxDPS Missing and Unidentified Persons Online Bulletin
The Namus says single lens glasses WITHOUT bifocals. Confusing.
 
  • #3
  • #4
My mistake.
Okay, cool, I didn't know if you'd got the info about the bifocals from a source I didn't have access to.

I'd like to see this Doe get a more modern reconstruction. You're absolutely right about it. With the exception of the late Frank Bender's work, most clay reconstructions really make the subjects look much older and/or cartoonish. This one looks about fifty. If he's actually eighteen, no one's going to recognise him.
 
  • #5
Okay, cool, I didn't know if you'd got the info about the bifocals from a source I didn't have access to.

I'd like to see this Doe get a more modern reconstruction. You're absolutely right about it. With the exception of the late Frank Bender's work, most clay reconstructions really make the subjects look much older and/or cartoonish. This one looks about fifty. If he's actually eighteen, no one's going to recognise him.
I wonder if NCMEC would take on the case since his youngest estimate was 16.
 
  • #6
I wonder if NCMEC would take on the case since his youngest estimate was 16.
I have no idea, but it doesn't hurt to ask. (Not me, though, because I wouldn't have the first clue how, and am half a world away. Someone else here should know how, though!)
 
  • #7
I have no idea, but it doesn't hurt to ask. (Not me, though, because I wouldn't have the first clue how, and am half a world away. Someone else here should know how, though!)
Yeah I have no idea how NCMEC picks cases. I've not heard of people submitting UID cases to them or anything.
 
  • #8
I'm trying to crack down on my addiction ro webslueths but there's been a pretty cool update to MCJD's NamUS page. His page now lists him as 20-25. TxDPS now says 23-28. This could mean his case is being revisited! Maybe a new reconstruction on the way? :eek:
 
  • #9
I'm trying to crack down on my addiction ro webslueths but there's been a pretty cool update to MCJD's NamUS page. His page now lists him as 20-25. TxDPS now says 23-28. This could mean his case is being revisited! Maybe a new reconstruction on the way? :eek:
I hope a new recon is in the works! I agree that the current one makes him look much older than the targeted age range!
 
  • #10
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  • #12
  • #13
The resemblance is striking but I’m not sure how likely it is that Dennis would end up in Texas.
Although the circumstances do not match 100%, it is important to remember many cases where the missing person is found dead in a state far from the state where they disappeared from the beginning.
 
  • #14
1 Missing Person Exclusion

1696986801561.jpeg
 
  • #15
Michael B. Hunter could be a possible candidate.

DLC: 5/27/79
Missing from Ft. Collins, CO
5’6” - 5’10”
Brown hair
Glasses
No details listed surrounding circumstances

1696988610241.png
 
  • #16
Very fascinating John Doe with an even more fascinating reconstruction. I won't lie, I get very strong "Boss Hogg" or "Doug Dimmadome" vibes from him. I mean that in a respectful way even if it is humorous. The recon makes him look to be in his early 40s at least, not 20s, and certainly not a teen.

My "Catdog John Doe" is similar in that he had very specific articles found with him and an honestly "goofy" clay bust, but has recieved little attention for his case. MOO.
 
  • #17
This UP now has 2 exclusions. Brian Vargo has been added.

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