Who is John Doe of Rockdale County (2010)?

Summary

In December 2010, the skeletal remains of an unidentified person were found in Conyers, Georgia, near a house that had been vacant for two years. When investigators arrived at the scene, they discovered a hose tied in a noose directly above the remains and an overturned chair next to it, leading investigators to believe no foul play was involved. The medical examiner estimated the remains were those of a man who was between 15 and 27 years old at the time of death. The man was estimated to be approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall. No other identifying information about the remains was available.

With little information available, the man’s identity remains a mystery and the case was not pursued despite investigators’ attempts to identify him. The man became known as Rockdale County John Doe (2010). In 2011, the details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP8689.

In 2023, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram’s lab in The Woodlands, Texas, and Othram’s scientists will work to develop an appropriate DNA extract from the remains. This DNA extract will be used in Forensic Genome Sequencing® to create a comprehensive DNA profile of the man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team will conduct case file research and use genetic genealogy to develop new leads in the case. A DNASolves crowdfunding has been set up to raise money for casework costs. Anyone can donate here.

If you have any information that may assist in this investigation, please contact the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office at +1 770-855-7429 and Referring Agency Case 2010-1024010.