Chief Medical Examiner Seeks Public’s Help to Identify Skeletal Remains
Facial Models of Individuals Shown in Hopes of Closing Cold Cases
Released by Matthew LiPani, Central Region Public Information Officer
In January 2016, the Richmond VA Chief Medical Examiner unveiled the facial approximations of eight individuals found dead in the central Virginia area, but who have not yet been identified. The facial models represent the five men and three women whose remains were found in separate locations between 1972 and 2014.
Unfortunately, despite the likenesses being available for the past four months, none of the individuals have yet been identified.
“We hope that by presenting the facial approximations to the public someone will recognize one of these individuals as their long lost loved one,” said Chief Medical Examiner William Gormley, PhD, MD. “We’re working with local law enforcement authorities to help identify these individuals, and we encourage anyone with information that may lead to identifying these individuals profiled to contact us.”
Three individuals were discovered at separate locations and times in Stafford County (1990, 1991 and 1998), two in Caroline County (1988), one in Henrico County (2014), one is James City County (1976) and one in York County (1972).
Forensic anthropologists and artists with the FBI’s Forensic Anthropology Services and Forensic Imaging Unit constructed the facial approximations.
Photographs of the facial approximations have been entered into the case files of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems (NamUs). NamUs is a web-based computer search engine funded by the National Institute of Justice to facilitate matching missing and unidentified persons.
Virginia currently has 283 unidentified people statewide, with some remains dating back to the 1960s.
Anyone willing to take a moment to look at the facial approximations online at www.vdh.virginia.gov/medexam/missingperson.htm may help get these victims named, and returned to their families. That link shows the eight facial approximations released in January and others released to the public. Assistance identifying these victims would be appreciated.
Anyone with information is asked to call the OCME Central District at 804.786.3174.
