In the spring of 1980, a hiker stumbled upon human remains in southeastern Ontario’s Algonquin Park.
More than 30 years later, little is known about who the victim was or how he died, so police have turned to a modern approach in hopes of cracking the cold case.
For nearly six months, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have pieced together scraps of DNA and forensic information to recreate the unknown man’s face in clay. The three-dimensional sculpture has human-like eyes, tousled blonde hair and distinct facial features.
OPP commissioner Vince Hawkes hopes that someone will recognize the young man when the sculpture is shared online.
“[Social media] allows us to use this tool in a better fashion than we did 20 and 30 years ago,” Hawkes told CTV Barrie.
Detailed photos of the clay face have been posted on the OPP’s website, including images with different colours of eyes and various hair styles. A Facebook video shows the face from various angles and recounts details of the case.
More remains were later uncovered in the area during a 1995 search.
Police have few clues to pin down the man’s identity. But a stamp found in the uncovered wallet led analysts to believe that he died between July 1971 and the spring of 1978.
Forensic anthropologist Dr. Kathy Gruspier said the investigation has its challenges, and it’s made even more difficult by the amount of time that’s passed.
“They’re in good condition,” she said of the man’s remains. “We were able to get a DNA profile in 2008 from the remains so the remains themselves haven’t changed.”
Help Identify Human Remains Found in Algonquin | opp.caHuman remains of a Caucasian male aged 18-29 years were found near marker number five on Hardwood Lookout Trail in Algonquin on April 19th 1980. The police are seeking the public's help in identifying the individual. Evidence found at the scene indicates his death occurred between July 1, 1971, and Spring of 1978. www.opp.ca/media/algonquin Anyone with new information on the case can call a dedicated missing persons hotline toll-free at 1-877-934-6363 (1-877-9-FINDME) in Canada only or 1-705-330-4144 from outside Canada. You can also submit information by e-mail at opp.isb.resolve@opp.ca
Posted by Ontario Provincial Police - Police provinciale de l’Ontario on Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Forensic artist reconstruction analyst Const. Duncan Way spent months building the clay model using a combination of scientific and artistic techniques.
The process involves “taking those averages of scientific information and using clay, some subjectivity, some artistic value and trying to get that likeness," Way said.
Anyone with new information on the case is asked to call a missing persons hotline at 1-877-934-6363 (1-877-9-FINDME) in Canada or 1-705-330-4144 from outside Canada.
With files from CTV Barrie
