Raleigh News & Observer Logo

A man found in the Neuse River may have looked like this. Do you recognize him? | Raleigh News & Observer

×
  • E-edition
    • Customer Service
    • Support
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Sponsorships
    • Stay connected
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Social Media Directory
    • N&O Store
    • Buy Photos
    • Databases
    • Archives
    • Newsletters

    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Health
    • Local
    • North Carolina
    • Nation/World
    • Science
    • Thumbs Up
    • Traffic
    • Weather
    • Weird News
    • All News
    • Counties
    • Durham County
    • Johnston County
    • Orange County
    • Wake County
    • All Sports
    • Baseball
    • Canes
    • College
    • Columns & Blogs
    • High Schools
    • NASCAR & Auto Racing
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NHL
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Panthers
    • Soccer
    • Schools
    • Duke
    • East Carolina
    • NC State
    • North Carolina
    • All Politics
    • The North Carolina Influencer Series
    • State Politics
    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • PolitiFact
    • PolitiFact NC
    • Rob Christensen
    • Under the Dome
    • All Business
    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • Health Care
    • Personal Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Shop Talk
    • Stocks Center
    • Technology
    • All Living
    • Video Now
    • Best-Kept Secrets
    • Blogs
    • Celebrations
    • Comics
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Games and Puzzles
    • Home and Garden
    • Horoscopes
    • Mouthful
    • Past Times
    • Pets
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Video Now
    • Arts News
    • ArtsNow
    • Books
    • Contests
    • Dining
    • Entertainment
    • Games
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Television
    • On the Beat
    • Happiness is a Warm TV
    • All Opinion
    • Columnists
    • Dwane Powell
    • Editorials
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Letters
    • Opinion Shop Blog
    • Other Views
    • Submit a Letter
  • Obituaries

    • Advertise with us
    • Place Ad
    • Apartments
    • Cars
    • Homes
    • Jobs
    • Legals
    • Obits/In Memoriams
    • Weddings
    • Today's Daily Deal
    • Special Sections
    • Today's Circulars
    • Rewards
    • Photo Store
  • Classifieds
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Cars
  • Homes
  • Legals

Local

A man found in the Neuse River may have looked like this. Do you recognize him?

By Camila Molina

    ORDER REPRINT →

January 11, 2018 11:06 AM

SMITHFIELD

Officials have reconstructed the face of an unidentified man whose body was found in the Neuse River in 2017 and are asking for the public’s help to identify him.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office made the two-dimensional skull reconstruction. The Smithfield Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance to identify the body, using the reconstruction image.

An N.C. Department of Transportation crew found the body in the Neuse River in Smithfield on April 25, 2017, when the crew was removing debris around the support columns of the Neuse River Bridge on U.S. 301 south of Smithfield after a major storm.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The News & Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

[Body found in Neuse River in Smithfield.]

The investigation remains open, and officials suspect foul play, according to the Smithfield Police Department.

The N.C. Medical Examiner’s Office completed a preliminary autopsy on April 27, 2017, although it was unable to confirm the race or ethnicity of the victim.

He could be Caucasian, Asian or Hispanic, officials said.

The man was about 5 feet 3 inches tall and had a blue and red tattoo on his right shoulder.

[Police still trying to ID man found in Neuse River.]

The image of the tattoo is unclear because of the condition of the body. Police have said it could be a tribal sign.

In addition to the Medical Examiner’s Office, N.C. State University has helped officials try to identify the man.

The Benson Police Department and state medical examiners have confirmed that the body is not that of Cole Thomas of Florida, who went missing in Benson in November. Thomas has not been found.

The Smithfield Police Department is asking anyone with information to call Detective Ronald Johnson at 919-934-2121.

Anyone who provides substantial information in identifying the victim may be offered a cash reward.

A caller who wants to remain anonymous may call the tip line at 919-989-8835 or go to http://www.smithfield-nc.com/page/policeanonymoustip.

TATTOO

Camila Molina: 919-829-4538, @Cmolina__

  Comments  

Videos

Meet Moros: A newly discovered tiny Tyrannosaur

How does the US bail system work?

View More Video

Trending Stories

Three observations from No. 8 North Carolina’s 88-72 road win over No. 1 Duke

February 21, 2019 02:18 AM

Zion Williamson injured as No. 1 Duke falls to No. 8 UNC

February 20, 2019 11:11 PM

Zion Williamson injured during Duke-UNC game after foot blows through shoe

February 20, 2019 09:53 PM

Will Zion Williamson play again for Duke? He’s listed as ‘day-to-day.’

February 21, 2019 04:43 PM

What in the world happened to Zion Williamson’s shoe? A sneaker expert weighs in.

February 21, 2019 05:15 PM

Read Next

Developers reveal plans for The News & Observer’s former property in downtown Raleigh

Business

Developers reveal plans for The News & Observer’s former property in downtown Raleigh

By Zachery Eanes

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 21, 2019 09:57 PM

The News & Observer’s former property on McDowell Street, which covers nearly a city block in downtown Raleigh, will become the site of a mixed-use complex. A 15-story office tower is the first phase of the project. The second phase includes residences.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The News & Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE LOCAL

What in the world happened to Zion Williamson’s shoe? A sneaker expert weighs in.

Sports

What in the world happened to Zion Williamson’s shoe? A sneaker expert weighs in.

February 21, 2019 05:15 PM
This tiny T. rex relative — called the ‘harbinger of doom’ — was just discovered by an NC team

Local

This tiny T. rex relative — called the ‘harbinger of doom’ — was just discovered by an NC team

February 21, 2019 01:28 PM
Award-winning drama teacher’s lawsuit against the Durham school system moves forward

Local

Award-winning drama teacher’s lawsuit against the Durham school system moves forward

February 21, 2019 06:34 PM
The legal challenges to finishing N.C. 540 across southern Wake County continue to grow

Local

The legal challenges to finishing N.C. 540 across southern Wake County continue to grow

February 21, 2019 06:26 PM
Sam’s Quik Shop property in Durham sold for $5 million

Business

Sam’s Quik Shop property in Durham sold for $5 million

February 21, 2019 10:37 AM
Tickets to the big UNC-Duke game on Craigslist? Yes, but the cops were suspicious.

Local

Tickets to the big UNC-Duke game on Craigslist? Yes, but the cops were suspicious.

February 21, 2019 05:52 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Raleigh News & Observer App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Triangletoday.com
  • Legal Notices
Advertising
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Our Ads
  • Place a Classified
  • Local Deals
  • N&O Store
  • N&O Photos
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Report News
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use


Back to Story