AL AL - Mobile Co, WhtMale 118UMAL, 40-65, in a sack in Grnwd Bayou, clothes, Rolex, miscl, Apr'96

Romulus

Ivan
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The Doe Network:

Case File 118UMAL
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Reconstructions of Victim

Unidentified White Male
  • Located on April 9, 1996 in the Greenwood Bayou, Mobile County, Alabama.
  • Cause of Death: Strangled and head trauma.
  • Estimated Date of Death: January 1, 1996

Vital Statistics


  • [*]Year of Birth: 1921-1940
    [*]Estimated age: 40 - 65 years old
    [*]Approximate Height and Weight: 5'9-5'10"; 103-120 lbs.
    [*]Distinguishing Characteristics: He had 3 - 4" brown head hair and a long, light brown with gray beard. A 8-1/2" scar was on the mid line lower back. Two stainless steel surgical rods were implanted in the midline lower back around or before the 1960's, one 7-1/4 inches long on the left and 6-3/4 inches long on the right side.
  • Dentals: An partial dental plate was found among his belongings; unknown if upper or lower.
  • Clothing: He was wearing Hanes brand, size 30 briefs; Rustler brand 29 inch waist, 32 inch length, blue denim pants; a black, size 32 belt; and aCarriage Street brand, short sleeved, beige - off white, button-down shirt with brown buttons. The ends of the shirt sleeves were rolled up.
  • Personal Effects: a Rolex style wrist watch; a Case brand pocketknife; a black plastic comb; two gray with yellow Cross brand pens; a yellow metal necklace with an eagle pendant; a yellow metal ring with a clear stone; a TORX star-head VIM VT 470 wrench; and an upper denture plate.
  • Other: Fingerprints available
118UMAL4.jpg

Personal Effects

Case History
On April 9, 1996 about 13.30, two fishermen found this man's body in a sack floating in Greenwood Bayou, bound with ligatures, off the Chickasabogue River in Mobile County, Alabama. He was found in very shallow water, 2 to 3 feet deep.
Chickasabogue Creek and Greenwood Bayou are accessible by turning off Alabama 43 and proceeding over a viaduct to Port of Mobile-Chickasaw. This area is found is popular with fishermen.
He died of ligature strangulation choking with a rope, string or a neck chain and blunt force trauma to the head.


Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Mobile Police Department
Lt. Joe Rose
251-434-1791

OR
Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
J.C.U. Downs, M.D.
251-471-7026

NCIC Number:
U-919713906

Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information: Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences

 
Some mixed information: The description says in one spot that he had two Cross pens, then in the next paragraph that it was a Parker pen and pencil set. Dentals say they don't know whether it's an upper or lower plate, but description says upper. (I wonder whether that means he had no teeth? Otherwise couldn't they tell by looking?)


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Doe Network updated link
CASE NUMBER - 118UMAL

118UMAL - Unidentified Male
118UMAL.jpg
118UMAL1.jpg
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Reconstruction of Victim and His Personal Effects

Date of Discovery: April 9, 1996
Location of Discovery: Greenwood Bayou, Mobile County, Alabama
Estimated Date of Death: Hours prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Strangled and head trauma

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 40 - 65 years old
Race: Unknown
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9" - 5'10"
Weight: 103 - 120 pounds
Hair Color: Brown, 3-4 inches
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Long, light brown with gray beard. A 8-1/2" scar was on the mid line lower back. Two stainless steel surgical rods were implanted in the midline lower back around or before the 1960's, one 7-1/4 inches long on the left and 6-3/4 inches long on the right side

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. A partial dental plate was found among his belongings; unknown if upper or lower
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: "Hanes" size 30 briefs; "Rustler" 29 inch waist, 32 inch length, blue denim pants; a black, size 32 belt; and a "Carriage Street" short sleeved, beige - off white, button-down shirt with brown buttons. The ends of the shirt sleeves were rolled up
Jewelry: "Rolex" style wrist watch
Additional Personal Items: "Case" pocketknife; a black plastic comb; two gray with yellow "Cross" brand pens; a yellow metal necklace with an eagle pendant; a yellow metal ring with a clear stone; a "TORX" star-head "VIM VT 470" wrench; and a dental plate (unknown if upper or lower)

Circumstances of Discovery
On April 9, 1996, two fishermen found this man's body in a sack floating in Greenwood Bayou, bound with ligatures, off the Chickasabogue River in Mobile County, Alabama. He was found in very shallow water, 2 to 3 feet deep. Chickasabogue Creek and Greenwood Bayou are accessible by turning off Alabama 43 and proceeding over a viaduct to Port of Mobile-Chickasaw. This area is found is popular with fishermen. He died of ligature strangulation choking with a rope, string or a neck chain and blunt force trauma to the head.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Mobile Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Charles Miller
Agency Phone Number: 251-208-1700
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: M960401579

Agency Name: Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
Agency Contact Person: F. Krolikowski
Agency Phone Number: 251-471-7026
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: M960401579

NCIC Case Number: U-919713906
NamUs Case Number: 13101



Information Source(s)
NamUs
Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
 
This seems like a man that should have been missed. He does sound like a drifter to me.
 
[*]Year of Birth: 1921-1940
[*]Estimated age: 40 - 65 years old
[*]Approximate Height and Weight: 5'9-5'10"; 103-120 lbs.

The possible years of birth, and estimated age range do not match up at all, if he died in 1996.

His weight seems extremely thin for a man of his height--if any of that is accurate...
 
Rolex style wrist watch? All real Rolex have serial numbers and typically it’s known who owns them.
 
5057DMAR - Ernie Lonnie Earls
5057DMAR.jpg


Name: Ernie Lonnie Earls
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: April 3, 1987
Location Last Seen: Piggott, Clay County, Arkansas (Doe found in Mobile county, Alabama which is approx 8 hours away)

Physical Description
Date of Birth: July 17, 1963
Age: 21 years old (if he was born in 1963 he would be 23/24 in 1987, I wonder why that is wrong)
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'2"-5'6" (5'9-5'10)
Weight: 120-170 lbs. (103-120 lbs)
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Described as muscular

Identifiers
Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Available
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Blue jeans; possibly wearing light blue shirt with three stripes on the sleeve; stripes may have been orange, white, and yellow.
Jewelry: Often wore a necklace with an eagle charm, possibly gold in color (Doe was found with an yellow metal eagle necklace)
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Disappearance
Ernie was last seen at his grandparents' house on Father's Day in 1987. He left on foot to meet an unknown male. Family witnessed Ernie get into a yellow vehicle. He was not reported missing until 1993. His "Missing Since" date may be incorrect: it may be June 21, 1987, which was the date that Father's Day occurred in 1987. He has been declared legally deceased, according to the Social Security Administration

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Clay County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Sheriff Terry Miller
Agency Phone Number: (870)598-2270
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: W87734



NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 11230

Information Source(s)
NamUs
Ancestry

5057DMAR - Ernie Lonnie Earls

He wasn't reported missing until 1993. He would have been 32/33 in 1996. If he was living as a drifter that could have aged him and made him appear older. The surgical rods in his back is a huge inconsistency unless he got it done as a child and it was not listed on his missing report for some reason or the estimation is wrong and it was done after his disappearance. Dental plates could have been after he went missing as well. The 9 years missing is a stretch but it isn't impossible.
 
5057DMAR - Ernie Lonnie Earls
5057DMAR.jpg


Name: Ernie Lonnie Earls
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: April 3, 1987
Location Last Seen: Piggott, Clay County, Arkansas (Doe found in Mobile county, Alabama which is approx 8 hours away)

Physical Description
Date of Birth: July 17, 1963
Age: 21 years old (if he was born in 1963 he would be 23/24 in 1987, I wonder why that is wrong)
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'2"-5'6" (5'9-5'10)
Weight: 120-170 lbs. (103-120 lbs)
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Described as muscular

Identifiers
Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Available
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Blue jeans; possibly wearing light blue shirt with three stripes on the sleeve; stripes may have been orange, white, and yellow.
Jewelry: Often wore a necklace with an eagle charm, possibly gold in color (Doe was found with an yellow metal eagle necklace)
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Disappearance
Ernie was last seen at his grandparents' house on Father's Day in 1987. He left on foot to meet an unknown male. Family witnessed Ernie get into a yellow vehicle. He was not reported missing until 1993. His "Missing Since" date may be incorrect: it may be June 21, 1987, which was the date that Father's Day occurred in 1987. He has been declared legally deceased, according to the Social Security Administration

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Clay County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Sheriff Terry Miller
Agency Phone Number: (870)598-2270
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: W87734



NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 11230

Information Source(s)
NamUs
Ancestry

5057DMAR - Ernie Lonnie Earls

He wasn't reported missing until 1993. He would have been 32/33 in 1996. If he was living as a drifter that could have aged him and made him appear older. The surgical rods in his back is a huge inconsistency unless he got it done as a child and it was not listed on his missing report for some reason or the estimation is wrong and it was done after his disappearance. Dental plates could have been after he went missing as well. The 9 years missing is a stretch but it isn't impossible.
I submitted him as a potential match to the Doe Network.
 
5057DMAR - Ernie Lonnie Earls
5057DMAR.jpg


Name: Ernie Lonnie Earls
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: April 3, 1987
Location Last Seen: Piggott, Clay County, Arkansas (Doe found in Mobile county, Alabama which is approx 8 hours away)

Physical Description
Date of Birth: July 17, 1963
Age: 21 years old (if he was born in 1963 he would be 23/24 in 1987, I wonder why that is wrong)
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'2"-5'6" (5'9-5'10)
Weight: 120-170 lbs. (103-120 lbs)
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Described as muscular

Identifiers
Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Available
DNA: Available

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: Blue jeans; possibly wearing light blue shirt with three stripes on the sleeve; stripes may have been orange, white, and yellow.
Jewelry: Often wore a necklace with an eagle charm, possibly gold in color (Doe was found with an yellow metal eagle necklace)
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Disappearance
Ernie was last seen at his grandparents' house on Father's Day in 1987. He left on foot to meet an unknown male. Family witnessed Ernie get into a yellow vehicle. He was not reported missing until 1993. His "Missing Since" date may be incorrect: it may be June 21, 1987, which was the date that Father's Day occurred in 1987. He has been declared legally deceased, according to the Social Security Administration

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Clay County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Sheriff Terry Miller
Agency Phone Number: (870)598-2270
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: W87734



NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 11230

Information Source(s)
NamUs
Ancestry

5057DMAR - Ernie Lonnie Earls

He wasn't reported missing until 1993. He would have been 32/33 in 1996. If he was living as a drifter that could have aged him and made him appear older. The surgical rods in his back is a huge inconsistency unless he got it done as a child and it was not listed on his missing report for some reason or the estimation is wrong and it was done after his disappearance. Dental plates could have been after he went missing as well. The 9 years missing is a stretch but it isn't impossible.

The surgery described sounds like the kind of spinal reinforcement they do for severe scoliosis. It could have been done when he was quite young but I don't see why it wouldn't have been mentioned in his missing report.

I don't see any reason he couldn't have been living on the streets for several years.

I'm glad you submitted it. It looks quite promising in many ways.
 
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) CASE NUMBER - 118UMAL Date of Discovery April 9 1996 Location of Discovery Greenwood Bayou, Mobile County, Alabama Estimated Date of Death Hours Prior State of Remains Not recognizable-Decomposing/putrefaction Cause of Death Ligature Strangulation and Blunt Force Trauma Age 40-65 years old Race Uncertain Sex Male Height 5"9 to 5"10 Weight 103-120 pounds Hair Color Brown, 3-4 inches Eye Color Unknown Dentals Available A partial dental plate was found among his belongings unknown upper or lower Fingerprints Unknown DNA Available Circumstances of Discovery On April 9 1996 two fisherman found this mans body in a sack floating in Greenwood Bayou, bound with ligatures, in Mobile County, Alabama. He was found in very shallow water, 2 to 3 feet deep. Greenwood Bayou is accessible by turning off Alabama 43 and proceeding over a viaduct to port of Mobile-Chickasaw. This area is popular with fisherman. He died of ligature strangulation choking with a rope, string or a new chain and blunt force trauma to the head.
 
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The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) CASE NUMBER - 118UMAL Date of Discovery April 9 1996 Location of Discovery Greenwood Bayou, Mobile County, Alabama Estimated Date of Death Hours Prior State of Remains Not recognizable-Decomposing/putrefaction Cause of Death Ligature Strangulation and Blunt Force Trauma Age 40-65 years old Race Uncertain Sex Male Height 5"9 to 5"10 Weight 103-120 pounds Hair Color Brown, 3-4 inches Eye Color Unknown Dentals Available A partial dental plate was found among his belongings unknown upper or lower Fingerprints Unknown DNA Available Circumstances of Discovery On April 9 1996 two fisherman found this mans body in a sack floating in Greenwood Bayou, bound with ligatures, in Mobile County, Alabama. He was found in very shallow water, 2 to 3 feet deep. Greenwood Bayou is accessible by turning off Alabama 43 and proceeding over a viaduct to port of Mobile-Chickasaw. This area is popular with fisherman. He died of ligature strangulation choking with a rope, string or a new chain and blunt force trauma to the head.
There seems to be very little information and online discussion on this case I also couldn’t find a thread here for it.
 
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Reconstruction and items found with the UID from NamUs.

Description of items: a Rolex style wrist watch; a Case brand pocketknife; a black plastic comb; two gray with yellow Cross brand pens; a yellow metal necklace with an eagle pendant; a yellow metal ring with a clear stone; a TORX star-head VIM VT 470 wrench; and an upper denture plate. Dentures, Imitation Rolex Watch, Silver Metal Parker Pen and Pencil, Case Pocket Knife, Torx Driver Bit, Eagle Charm on Gold Rope, Size 8 ½ 10 KT Gold Ring with Diamond chips.
13101_59756.jpg13101_59758.jpgOriginal (2).jpeg
 
Reconstruction and items found with the UID from NamUs.

Description of items: a Rolex style wrist watch; a Case brand pocketknife; a black plastic comb; two gray with yellow Cross brand pens; a yellow metal necklace with an eagle pendant; a yellow metal ring with a clear stone; a TORX star-head VIM VT 470 wrench; and an upper denture plate. Dentures, Imitation Rolex Watch, Silver Metal Parker Pen and Pencil, Case Pocket Knife, Torx Driver Bit, Eagle Charm on Gold Rope, Size 8 ½ 10 KT Gold Ring with Diamond chips.
View attachment 347374View attachment 347375View attachment 347376
I checked the ruleouts list Wayne Brian missing from Enterprise Alabama since December 15 1995 has been ruled out as being this John Doe.
 
This man's stats seem ok, although he was 10 pounds heavier. I think I will submit him.

Mark Dillon

Height: 5'9-5'11
Weight: 130 pounds
Hair color: Brown
DLC: February 1, 1993
Location: Burlington, Vermont

Dillon was a homeless Vietnam vet who lived in Burlington, Vermont where he received food stamps until February 1, 1993. He was never seen or heard from again after that. Could he have traveled down to Alabama?
 

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