MYSTERY OF JOHN DOE

Released on December 8, 2005

The Regina Police Service in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner of the Province of Saskatchewan, is renewing efforts to bring a 10-year-old unsolved mystery to the public's attention in the hope that, this time, an answer will emerge to the question, "Who is John Doe?" It is the story of a young man's death and the efforts, so far unsuccessful, to identify him and notify his family.

"There isn't a person who dies in this province that isn't a concern of ours," Chief Coroner Kent Stewart said. "We are committed to completing a thorough investigation, which includes answering the critical question of, who died. Our job is not done."

On Friday, July 28th, 1995, at about 3:40 p.m., police were dispatched to the Canadian Pacific Railway crossing at 13th Avenue and Courtney Street for a report of a fatality. Police interviewed two CP rail employees who had just witnessed the young man come from the ditch on the south side of the tracks and position himself in the path of an eastbound, four-locomotive train hauling 104 box cars. The crew was unable to stop the train, which was traveling approximately 65-70 kilometres per hour as it approached the crossing. The railway traffic control arm was down and the red warning lights were functioning. The victim was killed instantly by the impact.

The victim was described as male, Caucasian, about 20 to 30 years old, clean-shaven, with short, medium-brown hair and blue eyes, about 5' 9" tall, weighing about 140-160 pounds. He was wearing a black denim button shirt with a gold "crown" logo displayed on the left front pocket. Under this shirt the victim wore a white t-shirt with the words "Boca Authentic" on the front. He also wore faded blue jeans, white socks and a pair of size 12 and 1/2, blue and white Reebok runners. He carried no personal identification and a search of a knapsack he'd had in his possession, revealed some clothing and personal items, but virtually nothing to help investigators determine his identity. In his pocket, there was a silver brooch, shaped like a rose, sometimes referred to as "The Christmas Rose".

The resulting investigation, though extensive, has failed to identify this young man. The case has remained open since July 28th, 1995 and will remain open until "John Doe" is identified and any family members notified of his death. Regina Police Service investigators believe the unknown male was not from this area, and probably not from Saskatchewan. For this reason, police and the Coroner's Office are requesting help from the media in publicizing this case as widely as possible.

Additional material associated to this case is available. Background information, selected audio clips and jpeg images are included in a Media Kit. This information may also be accessed by Internet at www.police.regina.sk.ca. Click on "John Doe".

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For More Information, Contact:

Elizabeth Popowich Regina Police Service Phone: (306) 777-6364

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306) 787-8606