PA BEAR CREEK JOHN DOE: WM, 15-20, found in Bear Creek Township, PA - 28 May 1979 - Bracelet Vedon & serpent ring

[Romulus]

2891UMPA - Unidentified Male​

Reconstruction of the victim by the University of South Florida; images and enhancements of victim's clothing.

Date of Discovery: May 28, 1979
Location of Discovery: Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Estimated Date of Death: 10-14 days prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Homicide by a gunshot to the chest

Physical Description​

Estimated Age: 15-20 (originally believed to be 25-40)
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 5'8" - 6'0"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers​

Dentals: Available.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: He wore a black long-sleeved shirt, tan trousers with white pinstripes, white underwear, white socks with a pair of black ones over them and black loafers.
Jewelry: Sterling silver bracelet with “Vedon” on its clasp, 14 karat gold ring in a serpent design on the right little finger. It is believed that the victim's jewelry originated from New York.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Discovery​

The victim's remains were discovered along an embankment by two men in a secluded area. He was initially believed to be 25-40 years old until his exhumation on September 26, 2016, when an additional examination of his remains was provided.

He is known as "Bear Creek John Doe."

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Pennsylvania State Police
Agency Contact Person: Trooper Stephen P. Polishan
Agency Phone Number: 570-697-2000
Agency E-Mail: spolishan(at)pa.gov
Agency Case Number: P01-58063

Agency Name: Luzerne County Coroner
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 570-825-1664
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: A-22-79

NCIC Case Number: U854801277
NamUs Case Number: 15764

Information Source(s)​

2891UMPA

NamUs
Citizen's Voice
Times Leader
University of South Florida

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[Summer_Breeze]

Pennsylvania: Body found shot in the chest in 1979 sparks cold case appeal

The man, known as "Bear Creek John Doe", was found in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County, on May 28, 1979

www.irishstar.com

ByFionnuala Boyle
15:35, 9 MAY 2023

A body that was found with a gunshot wound to the chest in 1979 has sparked a major cold case appeal.

The victim's remains were discovered along an embankment by two men in a secluded area of Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County, on May 28, 1979

The man, known as "Bear Creek John Doe", is believed to have died 10-14 days before he was found. He was unrecognizable, with his body in a state of severe decomposition.

<snip>
Officers are now asking for the public's help as part of their extensive, ongoing investigation to identify the man.