Commerce City police are hoping a facial reconstruction of a human skull will help them determine a man’s identity and what led to his death.
In November, a man walking his dog found a skull in a field in the 3200 block of East 64th Avenue.
A couple of days later, investigators found more human remains in the same field.
“We would like to find out how he ended up in a field in Commerce City,” said Detective Mike Saunders, a police spokesman.
Police do not know whether foul play was involved in the man’s death. Severe decomposition of the body and a lack of soft tissue to analyze has hampered the investigation.
But investigators have been able to piece together an approximate description, based on the skeletal remains.
The man was probably African- American or Latino, and between 5-foot-1 and 5-foot-6 in height with a muscular build. He had an unusual pre-molar tooth on the bottom left side of his mouth.
With the recently completed facial reconstruction, investigators hope someone will recognize the man and step forward.
“It’s a situation where this is someone’s loved one,” said Mark Chavez, chief deputy coroner of Adams County. “Without an identity, this goes on for years and years.”
No wallet or identification was found on the victim, who wore Rocky brand hiking boots and a blue International denim jacket under a Wilson’s leather jacket.
Also found at the scene was a much-detailed gold belt buckle. “Real Whiskey” is stamped on the top of the buckle and “The Spirit of Wyoming” stamped on the bottom with “LORD CALVERT CANADIAN” in the middle. The back side of the buckle reads “Real Whiskey for real men.”
Readers who may recognize the man’s face or believe they know his identity are asked to call police at 303-227-8840.
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
