NV SAND CANYON JOHN DOE: WM, 35-50, found off of Sand Canyon Road near Wellington, NV - 12 Mar 1992 *VINCENT TRAPP*

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574UMNV - Unidentified Male
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Recon
Recon
Dog
Shirt
Shirt
Shirt

Reconstructions of the victim (left by Catyana Falsetti); Photo of dog that may have belonged to the victim; Victim's T-shirt and close-ups of its design.

Date of Discovery: March 12, 1992
Location of Discovery: Wellington, Lyon County, Nevada
Estimated Date of Death: Unknown
State of Remains: Partial skeletal
Cause of Death: Unknown; foul play suspected

Physical Description
Estimated Age: 35-50 years old
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 6'0" to 6'2"
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Reddish-brown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers
Dentals: Available. Root canal on tooth #3. Missing 8 teeth during life.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items
Clothing: He was clad only in a pull-over type T-shirt. An imprint, possibly of feather was noted on the shirt. A complete sock and a partial sock were located nearby. No other clothing was located in the immediate area of the remains. A pair of black Standia athletic shoes were found approximately 0.5 miles from the victim. The shoes themselves were located approximately 160 feet apart from another. A Mervyn's elastic band from a pair of men's underwear (size 32 to 34) was located north of the remains.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: A makeshift campsite was located within 105 feet of the victim, in which the following was found: A blanket, a black hat with the words "Heavenly Lake Tahoe", blue jeans, black men's Haines underpants (size 32 to 34), and a broken dog collar.

Circumstances of Discovery
On March 12, 1992, an anonymous phone call was received by the Nevada Highway Patrol in which the caller stated that he had discovered skeletal remains in a canyon off of Sand Canyon Road, approximately a mile east of Highway 338, near Wellington, in Lyon County, Nevada.

Investigators recovered the remains. Bone fragments were found as far as 75 feet from remains. A shallow grave was found near the remains and animal activity noted. The victim's hands and feet were missing.

In October 1991, an anonymous caller had contacted the Mono County Sheriff's Department stating there was an abandoned vehicle on Highway 338. This vehicle, a 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix, had not been claimed and was found within 2 miles of the discovery of the skeletal remains. This vehicle was registered to a man in Oklahoma.

In October of 1999, this case was reassigned and reactivated. As a result, the owner of the Grand Prix was later located in Colorado and interviewed. A news release was published on October 6, 1999 asking for the public's help in identifying John Doe. As a result of the news release, a woman who lived within walking distance of the remains said a dog used to come around her residence and would leave in the direction of where John Doe was discovered. She claimed the dog had no collar, and provided a photograph of the dog to detectives.

The dispatch tape containing the anonymous phone call to Lyon County regarding the discovery of the remains was transcribed but still offered no evidence as to the identity of the caller.

Discussions with a Mono County Sheriff's Deputy found that he recalled seeing an abandoned car previously described and thought the car had been registered to an unnamed man. This man was interviewed with no conclusive results at to whether the abandoned car is related to this case.

The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center is a cold weather training base located in Bridgeport, California for which Marines throughout the nation attend. The deserter list was obtained regarding this facility for those who deserted during the time period June 1991 through March 13, 1992. All these names were followed-up with no leads to the identity of the victim.

Investigating Agency(s)
Agency Name: Lyon County Coroner's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 775-463-6621
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 0309-92 LYO

Agency Name: Lyon County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 775-463-6600
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown

NCIC Case Number: U559470084
NamUs Case Number: 7582

Information Source(s)
NamUs
KOLO News
Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office



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I noticed there was an elastic band from a Mervyn's brand underwear found. There are several clues indicating he was from California and this would further indicate that. I use to work in the collections area for them here and they are based in California. They have over 120 stores there. Yes they have some in other states including Nevada where this man was found. But only very few. The clue that he had an item that was from Lake Tahoe makes me further believe he was from California. I would focus on missing from that area first. I'm not sure why they suspect foul play. I suspect he died due to the elements. And the dog ran away to try to survive. But most likely and sadly didn't. The woman reporting a dog I am sure it was the man's dog.But no one recognizing the picture that knew him makes me believe this man lived this way for quite some time and maybe no missing report was ever issued and again I don't think He was from Nevada. He chose to live this way for whatever reason.
 
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I noticed there was an elastic band from a Mervyn's brand underwear found. There are several clues indicating he was from California and this would further indicate that. I use to work in the collections area for them here and they are based in California. They have over 120 stores there. Yes they have some in other states including Nevada where this man was found. But only very few. The clue that he had an item that was from Lake Tahoe makes me further believe he was from California. I would focus on missing and UID's from that area first. I'm not sure why they suspect foul play. I suspect he died due to the elements. And the dog ran away to try to survive. But most likely and sadly didn't. No one reporting finding a dog or reporting recognizing the picture makes me believe this man lived this way for quite some time and maybe no missing report was ever issued and again I don't think He was from Nevada. He chose to live this way for whatever reason.
Interesting! Yes, there were a LOT of Mervyn's stores in California when I lived there. There was also one in Oregon until about 10-15 years ago.
 
O.K. I apologize. I see where it is noted there was a shallow grave. And the man questioned about the car. I'm foggy today. The missing hands and feet doesn't convince me due to the noted animal activity. But that certainly could be an effort to hinder identification. If the man was from Oklahoma that is interesting he was way in Nevada and the UID could have been too. But I see the UID being more of a hitchiker. And I still think the Mervyn's band is significant.
 
I've been through 8 pgs of the missing. I found 5 possible. But none jump out at me. 2 had eagle tattoos. Meet height range. And age range. 3 had missing ranges in the 80's. 1 in 1979. And one in 1991. Missing 1981,84 and 91 has no dental records. I would say the one from 91 is the closest So far born 1952. 6'2 190 lbs. Missing from Sacramento county. Has no distinguishing marks. Name: David Wayne Bellah. No further info on Doe Network.
 
I also did a Google search for "Man goes missing with dog 1990's". Nothing. I didn't think it would but I thought it wouldn't hurt. Also the dog pictured does appear older. None of the missing I found that could be a match mention a dog.
 
I’d like to know what the person who owned the car told the police. They really didn’t say one way or the other what was going on with that, did they?
 
I just read some more about him and he was living in Yerington around the time of his death. That is a very small town. At least it was when I was there last, Which now that I think about it, was a very long time ago. LOL
 

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