Search for identity of man found dead in Richmond more than 2 decades ago continues

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is asking for the public's help in finding the identity of a man found dead in Richmond over 20 years ago.

Little is known about the man, but investigators have created a facial approximation and determined some characteristics based on DNA and physical evidence. He is said to have been a Black man between the ages of 45 and 65, standing between 5 feet and 5 feet 7 inches tall, according to investigators.

The 23rd anniversary of his discovery at Riverside Brick Supply on the 1200 block of Maury Street passed this week. On Aug. 27, 2002, a worker at the brick supply discovered the body.

"When he started getting closer and looking to see what it was, they determined that there was this man underneath some bricks," said Lara Newell, long-term unidentified coordinator at OCME. "We're not sure if he happened to be there and then they placed bricks on top of him because they didn't know, or if he was purposefully concealed."

Investigators estimated he had been dead for six months at the time he was discovered. He had been mummified, which made determining multiple factors, including the manner of death, impossible.

Another piece of evidence found at the scene, pictured above, was blue slip-on sneakers. However, no other items of clothing were recovered.

Fingerprints could also not be recovered, but investigators hope the facial approximation will spark recognition with people who knew him.

"There should be enough similarities in the approximation that the person who knew our unidentified decedent can call and say, 'hey, I think this is my grandfather,' or 'I think this is my long lost brother or a neighbor that went missing several years ago,'" Newell said.

"That's what our goal is today, to get the information out to the public who may not realize that someone is missing until much later," she added.

Anyone who recognizes the facial approximation or has any other information about this case is urged to contact Richmond City Police or call the Central District – Office of the Chief Medical Examiner at 804-786-3174 or email at OCME_CENT@vdh.virginia.gov.