Artistic renderings by NCMEC and the FBI; images and reconstructions of clothing.
Artistic renderings by NCMEC and the FBI; images and reconstructions of clothing.
Date of Discovery: November 10, 1988
Location of Discovery: Ruther Glen, Caroline County, Virginia
Estimated Date of Death: 2 months to one year prior
State of Remains: Skeletal
Cause of Death: Homicide
Estimated Age: 15-30 years old
Race: Hispanic
Gender: Male
Height: 5'3" to 5'7"
Weight: 135 lbs.
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Congenital absence of a left transverse process on a lumbar vertebra. Wide nose and a thin build, as determined by the anthropology exam.
Dentals: Available. No restorations noted in teeth recovered; some teeth missing post-mortem. All four third molars extracted. The teeth could have been extracted earlier in life or congenitally absent.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Not available - Insufficient DNA for profiling.
Clothing: Blue and gray TRAX short sleeved V-neck T-Shirt (boys size large), blue Rustler denim jeans with folded cuffs to shorten the length (30x28; style # 89681), and red and black cowboy boots (size 8½ D) with minimal wear, appearing new.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: All of his personal effects are related to the Hispanic culture.
The victim's skeletal remains were found in a wooded area along I-95 near the Ladysmith Road exit or 112 mile marker. He was found with the skeletal remains of a another male. Forensic testing has suggested both males are paternally related, possibly a parent-child relationship, but their specific relationship is unknown.
Police have not elaborated on the cause of death for both males, yet the case is being investigated as a homicide. It is theorized they may have been undocumented migrant workers, and some clothing items associated with the remains supported this possibility.
When investigators reviewed individuals reported missing from Mexico, no potential matches surfaced for either victim.
Funding has been raised to conduct genealogical research in the cases, although initial DNA samples collected earlier were not strong enough for traditional profiling.
Agency Name: Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person:Lara Newell
Agency Phone Number: 1-804-786-3174
Agency Email: N/A
Agency Case Number: ME: C1988-13135 or C113135/657-88
Agency Name: Virginia State Police
Agency Contact Person: Thomas Kohlbeck
Agency Phone Number: 1-804-674-2196 (Kohlbeck), 1-804-609-5656, or 1-804-553-3444
Agency Email: questions(at)vsp.virginia.gov
Agency Case Number: Unknown
NCIC Case Number: U510231589
NCMEC Case Number: 1184371
NamUs Case Number: 6301
Added: 12/8/09; Last Updated: 8/2/22
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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