On July 22, 2002, a body was discovered in a desert parcel near the 1500 block of East Appleby Road. The body, an adult male, was lying just north of a new residential subdivision and was in the later stages of decomposition. There were no visible signs of trauma on the body and no identification was located in the clothing of the decedent.
I.D. technicians from the Department’s crime lab pulled fingerprints off the body, but were unable to make a positive identification. During the autopsy, investigators discovered a bullet in the left shin of the decedent just below the knee, but the examiners determined this wound was old and was not a factor in the male’s death. Medical examiners were unable to make a positive identification from any practicing methods known at that time and ruled the cause of death as undetermined.
With the help of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, detectives were able to get an idea of the facial make-up of the decedent through a sketch. Investigators believe the male was of Hispanic origin and was between the ages of 30 and 45 at the time of his death. The body was clothed in light blue jeans, a blue pattern button-down collared shirt, and wearing boxer shorts.
While there is no evidence the decedent was the victim of a crime, detectives need to make a positive identification on the body. If you have any information related to this case, please either call Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS or Detective Ynclan at (480) 782-4445.
