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A very interesting old case about an unidentified John Doe.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Unidentified White Male
Case History
Sometime in 1958, the skeletal remains of this individual were discovered in Kanosh, Utah, a small desert town in Millard County. However, it wouldn't be until 1979 that the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office was notified about the existence of these remains. It's not known who discovered the skeleton or where it was stored prior to being acquired by the Office. The skeleton was stored once again after initial efforts to identify it were useless. In 2020, a forensic analysis of the remains was completed.
The analysis determined that John Doe experienced skeletal trauma during his life. While estimates of an individual’s lifestyle and occupation are not routinely estimated when examining skeletal remains, the extent of healed injuries that were sustained during the man’s life indicate that he may have been a working cowboy or rodeo athlete. The man may have also had a condition in which the knees tilt inward while the ankles remain spaced apart, commonly referred to as “knock-kneed.”
It is speculated that John Doe could be Everett Ruess, an American artist, poet, and writer who was known to be exploring the Utah deserts in the 1930s when he went missing. Ruess' donkeys and campsite were later discovered in Escalante, Utah about 3 hours southwest of Kanosh. However, with the passing of decades and the lack of identifying characteristics or other information, the identity of the man is unknown.
Vital Statistics
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Unidentified White Male
- The victim was discovered on an unknown date in Kanosh, Utah in 1958.
- Skeletal remains
Case History
Sometime in 1958, the skeletal remains of this individual were discovered in Kanosh, Utah, a small desert town in Millard County. However, it wouldn't be until 1979 that the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office was notified about the existence of these remains. It's not known who discovered the skeleton or where it was stored prior to being acquired by the Office. The skeleton was stored once again after initial efforts to identify it were useless. In 2020, a forensic analysis of the remains was completed.
The analysis determined that John Doe experienced skeletal trauma during his life. While estimates of an individual’s lifestyle and occupation are not routinely estimated when examining skeletal remains, the extent of healed injuries that were sustained during the man’s life indicate that he may have been a working cowboy or rodeo athlete. The man may have also had a condition in which the knees tilt inward while the ankles remain spaced apart, commonly referred to as “knock-kneed.”
It is speculated that John Doe could be Everett Ruess, an American artist, poet, and writer who was known to be exploring the Utah deserts in the 1930s when he went missing. Ruess' donkeys and campsite were later discovered in Escalante, Utah about 3 hours southwest of Kanosh. However, with the passing of decades and the lack of identifying characteristics or other information, the identity of the man is unknown.
Vital Statistics
- Estimated age: 25-35 years old
- Height: 5'8"-6'2"
- Weight: Cannot Estimate
- Distinguishing Characteristics: Pre-mortem skeletal trauma indicating a job profession of working cowboy or rodeo athlete, evidence of knock-knees
