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| IAM840228/Downey, John; Des Moines Feb 28 1984 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 10 2007, 12:45 PM (653 Views) | |
| monkalup | Jan 10 2007, 12:45 PM Post #1 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://www.state.ia.us/government/dps/dci/ud/sombrero.gif Description White male, 28-48 years of age, 5'7" to 5'9", approximately 150 lbs., brown hair , medium build, right handed, surgical pin implanted in right knee. Details Skeletal remains found 2/28/84, in brushy area along a dirt trail in Des Moines, Iowa. Clothing Faded blue denims with 31" waist, dark leather belt, brown socks, low cut TRAX sneakers brown/blue in color. Possessions Plastic comb, plastic Copenhagen snuff box and a pocket knife. Cause of Death Blunt trauma, sometime during the summer of 1983. Agency Des Moines Police Department 515-283-4800 ** several Tattoos this is only one Also: Nazi Storm trooper,laughing skull with tophat and cigarette and " Born to Die" written,female face with dark hair and sombrero, left sided facial profile of a female, spotted snake coiled around a tree, male cartoon figure |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| monkalup | Jan 10 2007, 12:47 PM Post #2 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://z13.invisionfree.com/PorchlightUSA/...topic=381&st=0& |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| Nut44x4 | Jul 8 2010, 07:34 AM Post #3 |
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Polk County officials use new tools in trying to ID 'Bones' By TOM ALEX • talex@dmreg.com • July 8, 2010 Polk County investigators hope new crime-solving tools will help them identify a heavily tattooed man, nicknamed "Bones" by detectives, whose body was found in 1984. Homicide detectives spent days going door to door in a 50-block area of the Chesterfield neighborhood on Des Moines' southeast side in February and March 1984, trying to find clues to the man's identity. They dusted off the case in 2003 and conducted more interviews. Now, they hope to get help from NamUs, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Launched in January 2009, NamUs already has assisted in the resolution of 15 cases of missing or unidentified persons. Dr. Gregory Schmunk, Polk County's medical examiner, said the system combines a missing persons database with an unidentified remains database. Officials say DNA from the 1984 case may match DNA of a missing person. However, there is a snag: The location of the remains of "Bones" are unknown after 26 years. When investigators checked death certificates, they could not find one for a John Doe in 1984. So the hunt is on for the resting place of the remains. Schmunk said his office will try to find out where the body was buried or if it might be stored somewhere else. Without a death certificate it may not be easy. Here's what is known about the 1984 case: The man's body was found under dirt and brush near a path south of the 2300 block of East Market Street. Much of the skin had decomposed. Investigators could only guess at how much of the victim's body was tattooed. Judging from the number of designs on the preserved pieces of skin officials figured ink covered a substantial portion of the body. On the right arm was a tattoo of a skull, crossed bones and motto "Born to Die." The man died of a blunt traumatic chest injury. The body was that of a white man who was wearing blue jeans and athletic shoes. He was not wearing a shirt. A tin of chewing tobacco was found in the back pocket of his jeans. There were no forms of identification with the body - which investigators believe was someone about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 35 to 45 years old. Officials said he likely had been dead for 6 to 10 months before the body was found, leading some to speculate that he might have been from out of town and perhaps traveled to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair, which is near where the body was found. The man had distinctive tattoos, like the death figure in Nazi military garb or the mechanic's wrench poking through the center of a machine gear or the ornate sombrero covering a previous tattoo with the name "John." Said Schmunk, "We're trying to make sure we have done all we can." He said his office has two other cases of unidentified remains that also are listed with NamUs. In October 2005 the body of a man 5 feet 8 inches tall and 190 pounds was pulled from the Des Moines River near Wells Fargo Arena. He was white and in his mid-40s to early 50s with short graying hair, a receding hairline and a mustache and goatee. He had a diagonal scar on his forehead and two parallel scars on the top of his right foot. A screw and a washer were used in a shoulder operation. To date, he has not been identified. Unidentified remains from a 1969 case involve a black man who drowned. The medical examiner's office is gathering more information about that case. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics said in 2007 that in a typical year in the United States, medical examiners and coroners handle approximately 4,400 unidentified body cases, 1,000 of which remain unidentified after one year. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/2...ng-to-ID-Bones- |
| and Justice for all .... | |
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| tatertot | Jul 8 2010, 11:05 PM Post #4 |
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http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/98030134.html?ref=134 Posted: 10:34 AM Jul 8, 2010 New Technology Could Solve Cold Case Iowa investigators hope to identify body found 26 years ago Investigators in Polk County, Iowa say they're hoping new technology will help them identify a man whose body was found 26 years ago. Reporter: Associated Press Investigators in Polk County, Iowa say they're hoping new technology will help them identify a man whose body was found 26 years ago. Polk County officials say they're hoping the National Missing and Unidentified Person Systems will be able to help identify the tattooed man who detectives have nicknamed "Bones." The system was started in January 2009 and already has helped identify 15 people. Polk County medical examiner Gregory Schmunk says the new system can combine missing persons databases with unidentified remains databases. He says his office has two other cases registered with the system. National federal statistics show that medical examiners and coroners nationwide had 4,400 unidentified bodies in 2007. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 06:54 PM Post #5 |
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Tattoo 1 Flying bird carrying a streamer in its beak. Written inside the streamer is MOTHER. The word DAD is above the bird. The bird is in red-orange ink. The back of the streamer is in green ink. The tattoo is located on the right upper-arm near the shoulder-tip. Dimensions: Approximately 3 inches from DAD to the bottom of the streamer. Approximately 2 1/2 inches from beak to tail. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 06:55 PM Post #6 |
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Tattoo 2 Nazi storm-trooper. Wearing a German helmet and an iron cross. SS on collar tabs. The face under the helmet is skull-like. Has appearance of wearing a leather coat. Dark-colored ink. Located on the side and extending to the rear of the right upper-arm. Dimensions: Approximately 6 inches tall by 3 inches wide. Runs parallel to tattoos 3 and 4. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 06:55 PM Post #7 |
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Tattoo 3 Laughing skull with top-hat and cigarette. The words BORN TO DIE encircling design. Red ink inside eyes. Green ink inside nose. Located on right arm/inside bicep. Approximately 1/2 inch above tattoo #4. Total size approximately 1 3/4 inches wide at brim of hat by 2 inches long. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 06:57 PM Post #8 |
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Tattoo 4 Female face with dark hair under a sombrero. Fancy design on brim of sombrero. It's believed that the sombrero was put on after the female's features were tattooed. An additional tattoo of JOHN is visible under the design inside the sombrero brim. From top of the hat to the chin of the female face is approximately 2 1/2 inches. The brim of the sombrero is approximately 2 1/4 inches wide. Located on the inner-arm approximately 3 1/2 inches from the elbow joint. (right side) Approximately 1/2 inch below the skull in top-hat design. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 06:58 PM Post #9 |
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Tattoo 5 Female facial-profile/left side. Located on right side of chest above nipple. Tattooed so that female's hair appears light-colored. A distinctive feature is that the female has a "gear" with a wrench through it for an earring. Dimensions: Large- Tattoo would take up most of victim's right breast-area. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 07:00 PM Post #10 |
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Tattoo 6 Appears to be a spotted snake coiled around a post or tree. There appears to be the silhouette of a mountain top in the background. Dark ink. Located in the middle of the chest; along the sternum, from the xiphoid process to the angle. Most of this tattoo is indistinguishable due to skin deterioration. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 07:05 PM Post #11 |
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Tattoo 7 Lower part of male cartoon figure minus head (skin deterioration) Dark-colored ink. No combination for colors. It is believed that skin-section from abdominal area/right side between navel and chest. Approximate dimensions: toe to toe - 3 inches; sole to upper-chest - 3 3/4 inches. |
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| mimi | Nov 7 2010, 07:06 PM Post #12 |
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Tattoo 8 Dark-colored ink. No discernible color combinations. Butterfly pattern. Located on the rear of the right-side shoulder; towards the collarbone area. Dimension: Approximately 1 1/2 inches long. No pattern distinguishable on rearward wing (possibly due to skin deterioration |
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| Pilgrim | Jul 7 2011, 08:02 AM Post #13 |
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Humbug!! It's All A Humbug!
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GREAT site for ALL tattoo's and full length recon showing areas of interest; http://www.dps.state.ia.us/DCI/Unidentifie...es/desmns.shtml |
| www.missing-and-unidentified.org | |
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| monkalup | Jul 15 2011, 08:23 AM Post #14 |
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The Old Heifer! An oxymoron, of course.
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http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/92umia.html Unidentified White Male The victim was located on February 28, 1984 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Cause of Death: Blunt trauma. Estimated Date of Death: Summer of 1983 Skeletal remains -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vital Statistics Estimated age: 28 - 48 years old Approximate Height and Weight: 5'7" - 5'9"; 150 lbs. Clothing: Faded blue denims with 31" waist, dark leather belt, brown socks, low cut TRAX sneakers brown/blue in color. Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair; medium build. He had a surgical pin implanted in his right knee; he was right handed. He had many tattoos. Tattoo #1: Flying bird carrying a streamer in its beak. Written inside the streamer is MOTHER. The word DAD is above the bird. The bird is in red-orange ink. The back of the streamer is in green ink. The tattoo is located on the right upper-arm near the shoulder-tip. Dimensions: Approximately 3 inches from DAD to the bottom of the streamer. Approximately 2 1/2 inches from beak to tail. Tattoo #2: Nazi storm-trooper. Wearing a German helmet and an iron cross. SS on collar tabs. The face under the helmet is skull-like. Has appearance of wearing a leather coat. Dark-colored ink. Located on the side and extending to the rear of the right upper-arm. Dimensions: Approximately 6 inches tall by 3 inches wide. Runs parallel to tattoos 3 and 4. Tattoo #3: Laughing skull with top-hat and cigarette. The words BORN TO DIE encircling design. Red ink inside eyes. Green ink inside nose. Located on right arm/inside bicep. Approximately 1/2 inch above tattoo #4. Total size approximately 1 3/4 inches wide at brim of hat by 2 inches long. Tattoo #4: Female face with dark hair under a sombrero. Fancy design on brim of sombrero. It's believed that the sombrero was put on after the female's features were tattooed. An additional tattoo of JOHN is visible under the design inside the sombrero brim. From top of the hat to the chin of the female face is approximately 2 1/2 inches. The brim of the sombrero is approximately 2 1/4 inches wide. Located on the inner-arm approximately 3 1/2 inches from the elbow joint. (right side) Approximately 1/2 inch below the skull in top-hat design. Tattoo #5: Female facial-profile/left side. Located on right side of chest above nipple. Tattooed so that female's hair appears light-colored. NOTE: A distinctive feature is that the female has a "gear" with a wrench through it for an earring. Dimensions: Tattoo would take up most of victim's right breast-area. Tattoo #6: Appears to be a spotted snake coiled around a tree. Dark ink. Located in the middle of the chest; along the sternum, from the xiphoid process to the angle. Majority of this tattoo is indistinguishable due to skin deterioration. Tattoo #7: Dark-colored ink. No combination for colors. Believed that skin-section from abdominal area/right side between navel and chest. Approximate dimensions: (male cartoon figure minus head due to skin deterioration.) toe to toe - 3 inches; sole to upper-chest - 3 3/4 inches. Tattoo #8: Dark-colored ink. No discernible color combinations. Butterfly pattern. Located on the rear of the right-side shoulder; towards the collarbone area. Dimension: Approximately 1 1/2 inches long. NOTE: No pattern distinguishable on rearward wing (possibly due to skin deterioration) Victim's Tattoos 2 - 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case History The victim was located in brushy area along a dirt trail in Des Moines, Iowa on February 28, 1984. He had a plastic comb, a plastic Copenhagen snuff box and a pocket knife on him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investigators If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Des Moines Police Department 515-283-4800 or You may remain anonymous when submitting information. NCIC Number: Not Entered Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case. Source Information: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/DCI/Unidentifie...es/desmns.shtml |
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Lauran "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth." The late, great Roberto Clemente. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. | |
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| tatertot | Jun 3 2017, 05:54 AM Post #15 |
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May John Rest in Peace ![]() http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/new...ears/364105001/ Victim of Des Moines homicide identified after 33 years Charly Haley Published 12:06 p.m. CT June 2, 2017 | Updated 11 hours ago A man found dead in 1984 on a trail in east Des Moines has been identified, the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday. Advances in technology and continued investigation by local and national authorities led to the identification of John Clifton Downey, 39, the medical examiner's office announced in a news release on Friday. Authorities have notified Downey's relatives, who do not live in Iowa, according to the news release. His death remains under investigation by Des Moines police. The case was labeled a homicide when Downey was found dead in 1984. Downey's body was mostly decomposed when he was found on Feb. 28, 1984, beneath some brush along a trail near East 24th Street and Scott Avenue in Des Moines, authorities said. An autopsy revealed injuries to his body. Despite distinctive clothing, surgical intervention and unusual tattoos on the man's body, the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office could not identify Downey in 1984. The case was entered into the national unidentified persons database, NamUS, in 2008, and local authorities continued updating that information over the years, including Des Moines police providing a thumbprint from the victim's body, the medical examiner's office said. In 2009, the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office renewed its efforts to identify Downey's body by compiling as many old records as it could, but investigation into multiple leads resulted in no answers, authorities said. In 2014, the FBI national database for fingerprints underwent an extensive upgrade, improving the system's capabilities. In February this year, NamUS provided more than 1,500 fingerprint cards to the FBI to be examined by this upgraded system, according to the news release. The Polk County Medical Examiner's Office received a call on June 1 from an FBI lab in Virginia, saying that the unidentified homicide victim's thumbprint had matched Downey, according to the news release. The homicide remains under investigation by Des Moines police. A Des Moines Register news article from March 1, 1984, shows the body was found "in a shallow grave," covered with branches, twigs and vines, but with a skull protruding from the dirt. At that time, Dr. Thomas Bennett, state medical examiner, told The Register that the man had died of a "blunt traumatic chest injury." It was believed the man had been killed six to ten months prior to his body being found. Des Moines police publicly released sketches of unusual tattoos that covered much of the then-unidentified homicide victim's body, according to a March 2, 1984, Register article. Police had hoped someone who recognized the tattoos would come forward to identify the victim. After Downey's name was publicly announced Friday, Des Moines police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said, "This is a great, fresh lead. ... (Police investigators) can now start looking to those people who were close to him for new information. The hope would be that we could start down a path that would lead to a suspect. "This case highlights the advancements in investigative technologies, the initiative of the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office and the benefits of the cooperative efforts of local, county and federal agencies," he said. |
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| Ell | Jun 4 2017, 04:05 PM Post #16 |
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Heart of Gold
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wow always saw this case , so his name really was john as on the sombrero, but we didn't have his missing case. |
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Ell Only after the last tree has been cut down; Only after the last fish has been caught; Only after the last river has been poisoned; Only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten. | |
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May John Rest in Peace 
2:39 PM Jul 11