DENVER (KDVR) — Since 1952, there have been 90 bodies found in Colorado that remain unidentified. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner says 15 of those bodies were found in the city.
The Problem Solvers are working to highlight cold cases in our state. These are the unidentified bodies found in Denver since 1970.
In 2022, two bodies were identified in Denver including a body found in 2021 and another body found in 1999.
2019
The body of man believed to be experiencing homelessness was found by a woman walking her dog in Bear Creek Park on Aug. 29, 2019.
The man was wearing a white polo with “Denver Lacrosse” across the left shoulder, navy blue sweatpants, long white socks, black watch on left wrist, and Black and blue New Balance tennis shoes.
The man was described as:
- Possibly Hispanic, Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native
- 5 feet 1 inch tall
- Age range: 20-50 years old
- 177 pounds
- Shoe size: 8.5
- Black hair
2002
The body of a man believed to be experiencing homelessness was found along the west bank of the South Platte River by a cleaning crew on Feb. 22, 2002.
The man was described as:
- Possibly Hispanic or Native American
- 50-60 years old
- 5 feet 8 inches tall
- 110 pounds
- Gray hair with stubble on face
- No front teeth
- No tattoos or scars
1999
The body of a man was found in an abandoned building at 1135 Broadway on Feb. 25, 1999.
The man is described as:
- White
- 45 years old or older
- 5 feet 7 inches tall
- Slight-medium build
- Light brown hair with stubble on his face
- Evidence of previous dental work
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System said the man was wearing a green sweatshirt with the word “MEXICO” on the front.
1997
The body of a man was found in an alley between South Julian Circle and South Irving Street on Jan. 8, 1997. Police said the victim was wearing a brown cord necklace with a cross pendant.
The man is described as:
- Hispanic
- 20-25 years old
- 5 feet 7 inches tall
- 160 pounds
- Brunette hair with a thin mustache
- Brown eyes
- “Lopez” tattoo on upper section of left arm
- Scar on left forearm
1996
The body of a man believed to be experiencing homelessness was found in a storm drain at 5050 Humboldt Street Jan. 26, 1996 by two waste water employees who were going to clean the storm drain.
The man was described as:
- White
- 5 feet 5 inches tall
- 30-45 years of age
- Approximately 150 pounds
Police also said the man had degenerative bone disease and tooth loss that happened before he died.
1990
The body of a man was found in a grassy area off of the southbound Interstate 25 exit from Interstate 70 on Nov. 5, 1990.
The man was described as:
- White
- 30-40 years old
- 5 feet 7 inches tall
- 120 pounds
- Brunette hair, stubble on face
- Brown eyes
- No tattoos, scars or identifying marks
1990
The body of a newborn baby girl was found in a dumpster behind a house at 2860 N. Ivanhoe St. on June 8, 1990.
The baby was described as being Black with Black curly hair. No other identifying information was released.
1988
The body of a man believed to be experiencing homelessness was found in the railroad yard at Rio Grande West Railroad at 6th St. and Navajo St on Sept. 17, 1988.
The man was described as:
- White
- 60-70 years old
- 5 feet 11 inches tall
- 138 pounds
- Gray hair with balding
- Hazel eyes
- No teeth
1987
The body of a man was found floating in the Platte River near West 13th Street and Zuni Street by a public service worker on Jan. 30, 1987.
The man was described as:
- 25-35 years old
- 6 feet 1 inch tall
- 157 pounds
- Black or brunette hair
- Brown eyes
- Unknown race, possibly White, Asian or Hispanic
1987
The body of a man possibly known as “Kinky” was found at 1350 Columbine St. on June 7, 1987 after neighbors called in a welfare check. Police believe the man is from Miami or Jamaica.
He was described as:
- Black
- 6 feet tall
- 24-40 years old
- 183 pounds
- Several tattoos on lower right leg, including “GEMINI” and an outline of a wine glass
- He was found wearing a red, yellow, green and black beaded necklace
1983
The body of a man was found in an alley on 32nd Avenue between Alcott Street and Zuni Street on Oct. 16, 1983.
The man was described as:
- Hispanic or Native American
- 20-30 years old
- 136 pounds
- 5 feet 7 inches tall
- Black hair and a goatee
- Brown eyes
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the man also had the following tattoos:
- Left forearm: human face with hat, colored
- Right forearm: multi-colored, unidentifiable design
- Back of left hand: swastika
- Left fingers: L O V E, black or dark blue
- Right leg above knee: heart with arrow and “Mary Jane”
- Left leg above knee: “Rebelo E Causa”, drawing of a syringe, drawing resembling a medical capsule, S I N in black or dark blue
- Left leg below knee: drawing of a skull in a helmet with a swastika on helmet and drawing of a bone
1981
The body of a man was found on March 21, 1981 near 2600 West 17th Street.
The man was described as:
- Hispanic
- 25-35 years old
- 5 feet 2 inches tall
- 111 pounds
- Brown eyes
- Long black hair with a black mustache and sideburns
1980
The body of a man believed to be experiencing homelessness was found under the 23rd Street viaduct on April 25, 1980.
The man was described as:
- Hispanic or Native American
- 40-50 years old
- 5 feet 10 inches tall
- 123 pounds
- Brown eyes
- Black hair mixed with gray and a mustache
- A tattoo on his left arm of an outline of a woman
1979
The body of a man was found by the fire department while they were putting out a fire at building on May 21, 1979.
The man was described as:
- White
- 30-50 years old
- 5 feet 7 inches tall
- 117 pounds
- Black hair
- Brown eyes
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the man was wearing clear glasses with a tortoise shell-type frame, buckle dress shoes, and a gray metal ring with black stone on his left pinky finger. He also had a red bandana in his pants pocket.
1970
The body of a man was found in an alley behind 2205 Larimer St. on Sept. 8, 1970. According to The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the man’s remains were unrecognizable due to decomposition. The victim was described as being white and 30 years old or older.
If you have any information on any of these unidentified persons, contact the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner at 720-337-7600.
Highlighting cold cases in Colorado
Here are some of the other cases we’ve highlighted:
- Cold case: Who killed this 10-year-old boy in 1991?
- Cold case: Who murdered Stephanie Bauman 42 years ago?
- Cold case: Who murdered Jennifer Larsen 27 years ago?
- Cold case: Who shot David Williams to death in 2005?
- Cold case: Who murdered Maggie Long 1,651 days ago?
- Cold case: What happened to Elizabeth Miller 40 years ago?
- Cold case: Who kidnapped Christopher Abeyta 35 years ago?
- Cold case: Who killed JonBenét Ramsey 25 years ago?
- Cold case: Who killed Jessica Bejarano 15 years ago
- Cold case: Where is Terri Ackerman?
- Cold case: Who killed Richard Elliott at a grocery store 23 years ago?
- ‘Don’t ever give up hope’: Cold case: Who killed Edward Steinbach?
- Cold Case: Who killed Denise Davenport 37 years ago?
- Cold case: Who murdered James O’Neal Johnson 23 years ago?
- Cold case: Where is Jennifer Lynn Marcum?
- Cold case: Who murdered Daniel Lell in Aurora in 2013?
- Missing: Highlighting the search for people missing in Colorado
- 18 people remain unidentified in Denver since 1970
If you ever have a cold case you would like us to feature, please fill out this form or send an email to dara.bitler@digital-staging.kdvr.com-
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System shows there over 20,000 open missing persons cases in the United States and over 300 in Colorado.