The Lost and the Found

https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/5212?nav



Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP5212Male, White / Caucasian
Date Body Found
November 9, 1974
Location Found
Channahon, Illinois
Estimated Age Range
35-55 Years

Case Information
Case Numbers
NCMEC Number
--
ME/C Case Number
UN 74-01
Demographics
Sex
Male
Race / Ethnicity
White / Caucasian

Estimated Age Group
Adult - Pre 50
Estimated Age Range (Years)
35-55
Estimated Year of Death
1972-1974
Estimated PMI
2 Years
Height
5' 11"(71 inches) , Measured
Weight
Estimated

Circumstances
Type
Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found
November 9, 1974
NamUs Case Created
May 13, 2009
ME/C QA Reviewed
May 14, 2009

Location Found Map
Street Address
open field
Channahon, Illinois
County
Will County
GPS Coordinates
N41*34.013' X W088*06.817'
Circumstances of Recovery
Skeleton located in a creekbed partly wooded area adjacent to crop land. Located by hunters. Deceased may have been there 2 years before discovery. This location is also near a motel located on I-55 near I-80.

Details of Recovery
Inventory of Remains
One or more limbs not recovered
Condition of Remains
Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton
Circumstance Notes
Skeleton located by hunters in a creekbed near farm fields. No sign of trauma. Extensive and expensive dental work prior to death.

Physical Description
Hair Color
Unknown
Head Hair Description
--
Body Hair Description
--
Facial Hair Description
--
Left Eye Color
Unknown
Right Eye Color
Unknown
Eye Description
advanced decomposition precludes assessment of eye and hair color
Distinctive Physical Features
No Known Information

Clothing and Accessories
Item
Description
Clothing black sweater, blue jeans size 31O n the Body
Footwear brown work boots,size 9 brand of boot is BUILTRITE. On the Body

Investigating Agencies
Will County Sheriff
--
Agency Case Number
74-313-031
--
Will County Coroner
--
Agency Case Number
--
Gene orJoe Sullivan or Piper, Investigators
--
Case Contributors
Joe Piper, Medicolegal Death Investigator
Will County Coroner's Office
(815) 727-8455
Gene Sullivan, Medicolegal Death Investigator
Will County Coroner's Office
(815) 727-8455

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1436umil.html





1436UMIL - Unidentified Male

Reconstruction of the decedent by the FBI.

Date of Discovery: November 9, 1974
Location of Discovery: Channahon, Will County, Illinois
Estimated Date of Death: 1972-1974
State of Remains: Skeletal
Cause of Death: Undetermined

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 35-55 years old
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 5'9" to 5'11"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. Tooth #2 lost filling; #11 appears to be cementing material 3/4 gold crown anchor for fixed bridge; #16 bony impaction, midcoronal fracture. Extensive dental work a week or two before death.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Not available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Black sweater, blue jeans (size 31), and brown Builtrite work boots (size 9).
Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.

Circumstances of Discovery
Hunters found the decedent in a creek bed in a partly wooded area adjacent to crop land. This location is also near a motel located on I-55 near I-80.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Will County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: Gene Sullivan or Joe Piper
Agency Phone Number: 815-727-8455
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: UN 74-01

Agency Name: Will County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 815-727-8575
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 74-313-031

NCIC Case Number: U705518046
NamUs Case Number: 5212

Information Source(s)
NamUs

Admin Notes
Added: 7/4/09; Last Updated: 8/20/19

https://www.forensicmag.com/591011-1974-John-Doe-is-Army-Vet-Cause-of-Death-Still-Unclear/

1974 John Doe is Army Vet, Cause of Death Still Unclear

October 17, 2022
Credit: Othram

In November 1974 hunters stumbled upon the discovery of skeletal remains in the creekhead of a partially wooded area in Channahon, IL. There was a crop field in the area and a motel near I-55 and I-80. Based on the advanced stage of decomposition, investigators estimate that that the unknown man's death could have occurred up to two years prior to his discovery.

Investigators estimated that the unknown man was Caucasian and likely 35-55 years old (at time of death) and around 5’10" tall. He was found wearing a black sweater, size 31 blue jeans, and brown Builtrite size 9 work boots. The man had extensive dental work performed likely within weeks of his death. Few other details are known about the man and the circumstances of his death.

Over the years many tools were utilized to attempt and identify the unknown man. This includes anthropological analysis, CODIS testing, and forensic facial reconstructions. The case was also entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP5212.

In June 2021, the Will County Coroner's Office, as part of an ongoing collaboration with Othram, submitted skeletal remains to Othram's lab. Othram's scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile. Othram's in-house genealogy team used this profile to conduct genealogical research and develop investigative leads. The costs associated with Othram's laboratory testing and genealogical research were funded through a DNASolves crowdfund.

Othram returned leads to the Coroner's Office and the investigation continued. Discussions with potential family members and confirmation DNA testing eventually revealed that the unknown man was Donald M. Rozek of Harvey, Illinois. Rozek would have been in his early 30s at the time time of his death. He also appears to have been an Army veteran.

Rozek's cause of death is still unclear and the Coroner's and Sheriff's Office are continuing the investigation into what has happened. If anyone has information that could aid this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the Will County Coroner's Office at 815-727-8455 . Please refer to medical exam case number UN 74-01, Sheriff’s case number 74-313-03, or NamUs ID UP5212.

Othram expresses gratitude to everyone that helped support the DNASolves crowdfund campaign for this case.