GA - Atlanta, BlkMale,35-55, UP549, lived in closet. Found w/ an unread newspaper from Jun 98, Sept' 00

[Aurora90]

John Doe Identifiers Links:
Doe Network: 245UMGA - Unidentified Male
NamUs #UP549
Case Number: 00-0823 with Fulton County Medical

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Unidentified Person / NamUs #UP549 Male, Black / African American
Date Body Found May 18, 2000
Location Found Atlanta, Georgia
Estimated Age Range 35-55 Years

Case Numbers​

NCMEC Number--
ME/C Case Number00-0823

Demographics​

Biological Sex Male
Race / Ethnicity Black / African American
Estimated Age Group Adult - Pre 60
Estimated Age Range (Years) 35-55
Estimated Year of Death 1999-2000
Estimated PMI Months
Heigh t6' 0"(72 inches) , Measured
Weight 150 lbs, Estimated

Circumstances​

Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found May 18, 2000
NamUs Case Created August 15, 2007
ME/C QA Reviewed--

Location Found​

Location Atlanta, Georgia 30331
County Fulton County

Circumstance of Recovery:​

Found in closet of a vacant building. It appears that he lived in this closet. Numerous items were with the body. An unread newspaper was nearby dated 6/12/98. Drug-related items were at the scene.

---

Details of Recovery​

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton

Physical Description​

Hair Color Gray or Partially Gray
Head Hair Description Black with some graying
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description Probable black and gray beard stubble on chin.
Left Eye Color--
Right Eye Color--
Eye Description--

---

Distinctive Physical Features​

Clothing and Accessories​

Clothing
Size 8 black nylon "Trust" sweat pants with gray and white stripes down each leg. White BVD jockey underwear size 34, CA 18345, RN 13765. XL T-shirt with "America's Favorites for Magic Johnson's T's"
On the Body

 

[Aurora90]

Despite the age difference, I feel quite strongly this Doe is Joseph Melvin Hankerson last seen July 1998.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[Aurora90]

Found on John Doe's body were numerous articles of clothing and disposable personal care items. One item of note is an apparently unread newspaper (Atlanta Constitution) dated 6/12/98. Drug-related items were at the scene. He appeared to be homeless.

In May of this year, a MP was entered into NamUs who matches with this Doe Joseph Melvin Hankerson MP143626 who was last seen by a friend in July of 1998.

the height (both are over 6'0), race (both black), location (found/from Atlanta), and gender (both male) all are consistent with the Doe. Only difference is that Joseph is late 20s (27) when last seen, and Doe is believed to be 35 - 55.

I would argue copious amounts of drugs are known to age you. Hence why I have submitted this tip to DoeNetwork, Fulton County Medical, and Atlanta Police.

 

[PromotedPawn]

Thank you for posting. Someone has to be missing this man. He was somebody to someone out there.

 

[Aurora90]

Thank you for posting. Someone has to be missing this man. He was somebody to someone out there.

I really appreciate the recognition.

I was honestly surprised (and congruently not surprised at all) that he didn't have a thread here already considering he has been in Namus since 2007. I wont go into why I think there has been no thread. That's a topic I am not sure will be well received.

 

[Fraize]

Bumping this thread for no reason other than I think this one is right up our alley. We should collectively be able to figure this out.

 

[iulia]

From Doe Network

Distinguishing Marks/Features: Black hair that was course, curled and tinged with gray. Wire suture material was in the abdominal wall, as was green suture material.

Dentals: Several upper and lower rear teeth had been extracted and two teeth had fillings. The rest of the teeth were in relatively good condition, with no cavities.
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

The skeletal remains of this victim were found on May 18, 2000 in a closet of a vacant building at 3233 Mt. Gilead Roadd, South West (Building #97), Atlanta, GA, by a construction worker.

 

[Aurora90]

From Doe Network

View attachment 608819

Distinguishing Marks/Features: Black hair that was course, curled and tinged with gray. Wire suture material was in the abdominal wall, as was green suture material.

Dentals: Several upper and lower rear teeth had been extracted and two teeth had fillings. The rest of the teeth were in relatively good condition, with no cavities.
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown

The skeletal remains of this victim were found on May 18, 2000 in a closet of a vacant building at 3233 Mt. Gilead Roadd, South West (Building #97), Atlanta, GA, by a construction worker.

i really hope there is dna on file.

 

[alucardsdream]

i really hope there is dna on file.

Even dental records could help...I wish there was a picture of Joseph Hankerson from around the time he disappeared. Although 27 seems young to have graying hair, it's certainly not impossible.

 

[Ashwellz]

Despite the age difference, I feel quite strongly this Doe is Joseph Melvin Hankerson last seen July 1998.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Did did know my uncle? Please help we have been trying into get details regarding his disappearance for years. His mother, my grandmother has been trying into find answers while she's still alive.

 

[alucardsdream]

Did did know my uncle? Please help we have been trying into get details regarding his disappearance for years. His mother, my grandmother has been trying into find answers while she's still alive.

Joseph Hankerson is your uncle? I didn't know him but I am sorry that your family has had to go so long without any answers about where he is. Do you have a photo of him? It would be helpful if his NamUs file had a picture of him.

 

[Aurora90]

Did did know my uncle? Please help we have been trying into get details regarding his disappearance for years. His mother, my grandmother has been trying into find answers while she's still alive.

I replied to the PM, but I wanted to post here so as to not appear rude. I did not know your uncle, but any way in which I can help I am happy to. I am sure a lot of others here are in agreement with me on that.

A photo or any other details would be so helpful. It would also be great to get that into NamUs. A few users here are familiar with how to do that as well.

I hope you come back, there's tons of us that I'm sure would be happy to help. =)

 

[PromotedPawn]

I replied to the PM, but I wanted to post here so as to not appear rude. I did not know your uncle, but any way in which I can help I am happy to. I am sure a lot of others here are in agreement with me on that.

A photo or any other details would be so helpful. It would also be great to get that into NamUs. A few users here are familiar with how to do that as well.

I hope you come back, there's tons of us that I'm sure would be happy to help. =)

I definitely hope they come back.

 

[Tricia]

Did did know my uncle? Please help we have been trying into get details regarding his disappearance for years. His mother, my grandmother has been trying into find answers while she's still alive.

Welcome to Websleuths.
I'm so sorry about your Uncle.
Since you are a family member, we would like you to become verified.
When you are verified, under your user name, it will say "Verified family member of Joseph Melvin Hankerson." This way, our members will know that you are who you say you are. We do this because in the past, we have had people claim they are family when they are not. I hope you understand.
Please send the following information to [email protected]
1) In the subject line put your user name and your uncle's name.
2) Your real name and relationship to the victim or the case
3) Your phone number and a good time to call
4) Location (City and State)

All info will be kept strictly confidential.

Thank you.
Tricia Griffith
Manager/Websleuths.com

 

[Ashwellz]

Sorry for the delay. I'm just now seeing all of this. Out of respect to my family for is I'd rather not go don't to much of my personal information because of personal safety season's. We are not sure who much less who all was involved with my uncles disappearance. And certainly don't know if who ever was involved is still out there. Thank you everyone for you concerns. As for a photo. I will see if I can get a photo of him. I was only 8 yrs old when he disappeared.

 

[Melt71]

Sorry for the delay. I'm just now seeing all of this. Out of respect to my family for is I'd rather not go don't to much of my personal information because of personal safety season's. We are not sure who much less who all was involved with my uncles disappearance. And certainly don't know if who ever was involved is still out there. Thank you everyone for you concerns. As for a photo. I will see if I can get a photo of him. I was only 8 yrs old when he disappeared.

There is obviously no requirement for you to make your details public. You family can also directly call the investigator handling the case of this unidentified man. Their details are listed in Namus

 

[Melt71]

Also posting here for reference, the four ruled out missing persons already compared to this unidentified man:

 

[Hochman]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Less pixelated version of reconstruction

 

[The4TierBridge]

Taken from the Doe Network, where he is 245umga: 245UMGA

"Numerous articles of clothing and personal effects accompanied the body, including a small box containing a small amount of apparent cremated remains."

That seems like a significant detail? Assuming it was one of those plastic urns that the funeral home gives you, it should have had a name plate or sticker on the outside or metal tags on the inside with somebody's name and birth/death dates. Unless it was just random junk in the abandoned house, you'd think this would be for somebody who was important to him?