UNIDENTIFIED: Hamilton John Doe - Found 04/09/07 - Hamilton, ON

OntarioUnidentifiedJohn Does2000s
Written By SM
By: S.M.
Last Updated: 04/24/20
Hamilton John Doe_Canada Unsolved.png

Unidentified Male

Discovered April 7 & 9, 2007 in Hamilton, Ontario

PMI: 7 to 8 months (approximate). Possible date of death as early as spring 2006.

  • Estimated age: 40-65 years old. (Likely 50-65) 

  • Approximate Height and Weight: 5'7-6'1"

Discovery

On the evening of Saturday, April 7, 2007, a 32-year-old figure skating coach looked outside of her home in Mount Hope, in Hamilton, Ontario, and noticed an odd object “sitting perfectly” at the end of her driveway. Thinking the yellowy white skull belonged to an animal, she kicked it across the road, where it landed in a ditch. 

Glancaster & Fiddlers Green Roads.

Glancaster & Fiddlers Green Roads.


Two days later, at around 6:30 p.m., a neighbour was walking their dog along Glanbrook Road, when an object lying in a ditch just off the roadside caught their eye. They went over to take a closer look and immediately recognized it as a human skull. 

Hamilton Police search the area around Fiddlers Green & Glancaster Rds.Photo: Hamilton Spectator

Hamilton Police search the area around Fiddlers Green & Glancaster Rds.

Photo: Hamilton Spectator


Several days passed before the discovery was confirmed by Dr. Shelley Saunders, a forensic anthropologist and professor at McMaster University.

On April 18, 2007, at 10 a.m., Hamilton Police – along with its Search and Rescue Team, OPP cadaver dogs and volunteers from the community – began a search of the area for any clues about the skull in the woods.

The search lasted just one hour.

At around 11 a.m., cadaver dogs located additional human remains in a heavily forested area near the intersection of Glancaster Road and Fiddlers Green Road. The remains were eventually matched to the skull. An autopsy was unable to confirm a cause of death. 

Investigators believe Hamilton John Doe died in the summer or fall of 2006, but a date of death as early as spring of 2006 or fall of 2005 can’t be ruled out. He was wearing a water-resistant ‘U.S. Army’ brand wristwatch with a blue face on his left wrist. The watch cost $300 to $450 and was available since 2003.

Despite several attempts to identify Hamilton John Doe by comparison to missing persons cases, he has never been identified.

Hamilton John Doe was 5’6” to 6’ tall. When he died, he was 40 to 65 years old. DNA was extracted from his femur and is available for comparison. Foul play is not suspected.

The intersection of Fiddlers Green Road and Glancaster Road, where the skeletal remains of Hamilton John Doe were discovered in a forested area.

The intersection of Fiddlers Green Road and Glancaster Road, where the skeletal remains of Hamilton John Doe were discovered in a forested area.

Hamilton John Doe 2007_Canada Unsolved.png

Characteristics

  • Grey/white hair, 2 to 3 inches in length.

  • He likely wore an upper full denture and possibly a lower partial denture.

  • His remaining teeth were poorly cared for, had untreated cavities, and had no fillings.

  • No upper teeth, likely for many years prior to his death as the sockets were healed.

  • 6 teeth present, one canine and two premolar teeth on each side of the lower jaw.

  • Had chronic abscesses on both the right and left teeth.

Clothing & Accessories

  • Size 34" x 34", blue denim "Wrangler" brand jeans.

  • Size large, "Fitrite" brand shirt.

  • Size large, blue denim "Kinswood" brand, long-sleeved button-down shirt.

  • Black belt.

  • White, "Fruit of the Loom" brand underwear.

  • White, left running shoe, size 9 1/2.

  • Wristwatch – blue face, ‘U.S. Army’ brand, silver in colour, water resistant, worn on the left wrist. It was estimated to have cost between $300 - $450 and was available since 2003.

Photos:

3.png

Other Belongings

  • Silver folding knife in a black sheath attached to the belt, 7.6 cm (3″) blade, stainless steel back, black handle.

  • ‘Bic’ brand lighter.

  • Chrome, ‘Zebra’ brand pen.

  • ‘Trim’ brand nail clippers.

  • Chewing gum.

  • $12.99, one discoloured coin of unknown denomination.

Hamilton John Doe_Canada Unsolved_Unidentified.png
Hamilton John Doe_Unidentified_Canada Unsolved.png

If you recognize Hamilton John Doe or any of his belongings, please contact one of the agencies below.

10.png

Map: Location of discovery

 
SM
Previous

UNSOLVED: The Murder of Melissa Ivy Chaboyer - 2005 - Thompson, MB
Next

MISSING: Mary Frances Gregory - 02/15/78 - Parry Sound, ON