The Lost and the Found

https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/1407/

Body wrapped in burlap. Found in the Brunswick River.

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1927umnc.html



Date of Discovery: May 13, 1977
Location of Discovery: Leland, Brunswick County, North Carolina
Estimated Date of Death: Weeks prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Homicide by forced drowning

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 18-30 years old
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 112 lbs.
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: No evident scars or marks. Mild scoliosis.

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. Dental work performed by multiple dentists; stainless steel crown on #10; no evidence of decay present; 1, 16, 17 not clinically evident; extensive restorations on remaining teeth except #22-28.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Not available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Clothed in only a pair of blue socks.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery

The victim's body was discovered floating in the Brunswick River. The body was wrapped in burlap, with a burlap strip tied with a simple loop about the right wrist and a burlap strap tied in double loop about neck.

There was evidence that the victim was alive when wrapped in the burlap and it appeared he had tried to escape before he drowned.

The body was dumped upriver, possibly originating from the Cape Fear River, located near Elizabethtown and Fayetteville.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Clyde Gibbs
Agency Phone Number: 800-672-7042
Agency E-Mail: cgibbs(AT)ocme.unc.edu
Agency Case Number: 77-242

Brunswick River, NC


Brunswick River in Leland NC on a clam fall day.