The Lost and the Found

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1036umfl.html



Date of Discovery: March 23, 2007
Location of Discovery: Fort Meyers, Lee County, Florida
Estimated Date of Death: 1987-2001
State of Remains: Partial skeletal
Cause of Death: Homicide

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 18-35 years old
Race: White and/or Hispanic
Sex: Male
Height: 5'8" to 6'3"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Described as a tall man with a possible limp, which forensic experts believe may help identify him. Fractured right wrist.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. He had current dental work and silver fillings on his posterior teeth. He had all four wisdom teeth.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Unknown.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery
On March 23, 2007, a land surveyor discovered two human skulls in a wooded area near Rockfill and Arcadia Streets. Fort Myers police, with the help of area agencies, cadaver dogs, and forensic experts, recovered a total of eight sets of skeletal remains.

Investigators found no clothing nor remnants of coffins, body bags or anything else that might be used to hold human remains. There were no footprints or other signs that anyone had recently been to the scene.

The men, who would become known as the "Fort Myers Eight," were found within 50 yards of one another, and had been killed sometime between 1987 and 2001. There was no skin or clothing left on the remains. There were no signs of trauma immediately evident.

A forensic examination of the remains indicated that all eight were men ranging from 18 to 49 years old. Seven of the eight men had first-rate dental care. One of the men was believed to have been homeless or had a rough life based on bone damage and poor dental care.

The area where the remains were located is owned by the City of Fort Myers. The location is isolated and the roads consist mostly of sandy dirt.

Thanks to DNA, police were able to identify three of the eight men - two in 2007, and another in 2008.

The remaining cases, in addition to this one are: 1031UMFL, 1033UMFL, 1035UMFL and 1037UMFL.