Someone is missing. That someone is dead.
Now, Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Walter I. Hofman and Lower Moreland police want the public's help to give the skeletal remains of that unknown person the dignity of a name rather than having to just label him "John Doe."
"This is someone's loved one and someone is missing someone," said Hofman on Wednesday. "I can't issue a death certificate on a John Doe, and I won't, until I exhaust all possibilities."
"This is someone's son, brother or, possibly, father and we want to bring closure to that family," said Lower Moreland Detective John Pasqueal. "Somebody must be missing this person."
Also, the two said they want to bring closure to the police and the coroner's office, which have been trying to identify the skeletal remains since they were first discovered March 15 in a wooded area near Pine and Red Lion roads just west of the fence line of the Island Green Golf Course and close to the Philadelphia border.
The comments from the pair came during a press conference at which a facial reconstruction was on display.
The intact remains were of an adult male of mixed African American and Caucasian race, between the ages of 45 to 55 and about 5 feet 5 inches tall.
At the time of his death, which occurred between September 2007 and March 2008, the man was wearing grey U.S. Polo Association pleated/cuffed dress pants, size 32 waist and 28 inches long, brown dress socks with a black checkerboard pattern, Hanes brief-style men's underwear and no shirt. A few dollars and change were found in the man's pants pocket, but no identification was found.
The body was too decomposed to determine whether there were any identifying markings, such as tattoos, said Hofman.
While the man did not die of natural causes, authorities have ruled out foul play.
There was no evidence of a gun or knife being used against the man nor was there any evidence of a beating, said Hofman.
Hofman believes the man died accidentally of a drug overdose, having found evidence of amphetamine/methamphetamine use.
The fact that the man was not wearing a shirt at the estimated time of death, which is a "little odd" because it would have been cool if not cold, also indicates he may have been under the influence of drugs, according to Lower Moreland Detective Sgt. John MacDonald.
Authorities have been unable to match the remains with any reports of missing persons from Montgomery and Bucks counties and Philadelphia.
"But his teeth were in excellent condition so we don't think he was homeless," said MacDonald.
Hofman said there were two missing pre-molars but all other teeth were present and in good condition, with past dental work evident. The man likely walked hunched over and with a noticeable limp, according to the coroner.
An autopsy revealed that the man suffered from moderate scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and moderate arthritis of the spine. Bone spurs, consistent with plantaritis, were found on the bottom of both feet. There also was evidence of an old but healed fracture of the pelvis, Hofman said.
The facial reconstruction, using the actual skull, was created by forensic artist Detective Evelyn Grant of the Baltimore County, Md., police department.
Hofman said that it has been his experience during 40 years as a forensic pathologist that more than 90 percent of facial reconstructions closely match the individuals' features once identity is established.
Anyone with information that can help identify the remains or who knows of someone who is missing that matches the description put forth by authorities should contact the Lower Moreland police detective's division at 215-947-3132.
Margaret Gibbons can be reached at 610-279-6153 or mgibbons@phillyBurbs.com.