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Man found dead in Colorado may be connected to Cedar Rapids
Dec. 5, 2025 1:48 pm
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Investigators with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation are seeking the help of community members in Cedar Rapids and two other U.S. cities to identify a man who was found dead last year in a Colorado.
The body was discovered in a remote camping area near Bailey, Colorado, in Park County, on May 28, 2024. A botanist estimated the human remains had been in the area since 2022 or 2023, according to a news release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators have determined the dead individual — who is being calling John Doe — was male, likely of Eastern European descent, between 5’11” and 6’8,” and between 30 and 60 years old. A forensic facial reconstruction expert was called on to create a sculpture of what John Doe may have looked like.
“As of now, information regarding the case, including how the man might have died, is limited. Collaboratively, the Sheriff’s Office, the Coroner’s Office, and the CBI are diligently working to unravel more details. Further updates will be provided as new information emerges,” the release states.
Recent genetic testing also revealed that John Doe has Slovakian DNA, and was linked to a DNA match in the Cedar Rapids area. He also had a number of DNA matches across Nebraska, according to the release.
The genetic information has led investigators to reach out to communities in Cedar Rapids, Omaha, and Pueblo, Colorado, where they are hoping to find relatives of the man, because of the strong Czech and Slovak communities in all three cities.
Anyone who may have information about John Doe is asked to call the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s tip line at 720-295-6642.
A facial reconstruction expert has created this sculpture of what a man found dead in Colorado last year may have looked like. Investigators believe the man could have had connections to Cedar Rapids based on genetic testing. (Contributed)
A facial reconstruction expert has created this sculpture of what a man found dead in Colorado last year may have looked like. Investigators believe the man could have had connections to Cedar Rapids based on genetic testing. (Contributed)
A facial reconstruction expert has created this sculpture of what a man found dead in Colorado last year may have looked like. Investigators believe the man could have had connections to Cedar Rapids based on genetic testing. (Contributed)
A facial reconstruction expert has created this sculpture of what a man found dead in Colorado last year may have looked like. Investigators believe the man could have had connections to Cedar Rapids based on genetic testing. (Contributed)
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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