GA ATLANTA JOHN DOE: WM, 20-30, found on the side of I 75 in Atlanta, GA - 20 Jul 1995 *STEVEN SHELTON*

178UMGA - Unidentified Male​

Reconstructions of the victim by Marla Lawson and Wes Neville; victim's tattoos.

Date of Discovery: July 20, 1995
Location of Discovery: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
Date of Death: June 24, 1996
State of Remains: Recognizable face
Cause of Death: Hit and run vehicle accident

Physical Description​

Estimated Age: 20-30 years old
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 85 lbs. (after hospitalization)
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Light brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: A serpent or dragon on the chest and stomach. The word "Virgo" in blue on the left shoulder. A red and blue flaming Star or planet in the web between the thumb and index finger. A globe surrounded by letters on the left forearm. The tattoos were somewhat recent.

Identifiers​

Dentals: Unknown.
Fingerprints: Unknown.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Unknown.
Jewelry: Unknown.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown.

Circumstances of Discovery​

Atlanta police picked up the unidentified man on the side of Interstate 75 late at night on July 20, 1995, and took him to Grady Hospital with severe head injuries. He was hospitalized for almost one year and died in the hospital on June 24, 1996.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office
Agency Contact Person: Dumonder Dawson
Agency Phone Number: 404-613-4400
Agency E-Mail: fcme(at)co.fulton.ga.us
Agency Case Number: 96-1115

NCIC Case Number: U194513653
NamUs Case Number: 691

Information Source(s)​

NamUs
FCMEO
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Maryland Missing

178UMGA

 

[GrandmaBear]

Here are some side-by-sides. Post-mortem comparison is under the spoiler for anyone who may not want to see that.

Personally, though I do see some similarities, I'm not convinced that the circumstances match up. There was no indication of glasses/contacts and Christopher was legally blind without them. Scar at hairline? Birthmark on bottom of foot? Christopher appears to have a smaller forehead and more round chin.

Details on John Doe are certainly lacking though, so it's definitely worth a shot! Happy to be wrong if it means a family gets answers.

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Spoiler

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I didn't even mean to hit the spoiler and did. Eyebrows struck me right away and lips. In the nonautopsy photos something about the eyes most definitely strikes me about both. And again of the mouth area.

I believe Ariel said there was a hairline scar but can't recall for sure.

Thanks for doing this, I sure wanted to see them side by side to tell better. Hope it was okay I tagged you and asked.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Has there been a DNA match?

I don't think so but Ariel is pretty convinced. She was going to send some of those other photos above to the officer I think.

 

[Tresir]

I think the eyes, mouth, ears, eyebrows, hair all seem like a match. The face shape is similar too. That would make at least 7 similarities with eye colour (brown). The height is different with the Doe being taller but Christopher probably was still growing when he disappeared at age 17.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think the eyes, mouth, ears, eyebrows, hair all seem like a match. The face shape is similar too. That would make at least 7 similarities with eye colour (brown). The height is different with the Doe being taller but Christopher probably was still growing when he disappeared at age 17.

Oh great point with the height. My grandson is almost 16 and grows by leaps and bounds daily I swear. He is not going to fit in a car if he keeps it up.

 

[GrandmaBear]

And yeah I can see why Ariel is convinced. And if I can see it that says something. She lives the case and dreams it.

 

[Guess Who]

Oh great point with the height. My grandson is almost 16 and grows by leaps and bounds daily I swear. He is not going to fit in a car if he keeps it up.

Off topic, but reminds me of my friend that was 7' had a Corvette Stingray. That was hilarious!

 

[ariel]

Here are some side-by-sides. Post-mortem comparison is under the spoiler for anyone who may not want to see that.

Personally, though I do see some similarities, I'm not convinced that the circumstances match up. There was no indication of glasses/contacts and Christopher was legally blind without them. Scar at hairline? Birthmark on bottom of foot? Christopher appears to have a smaller forehead and more round chin.

Details on John Doe are certainly lacking though, so it's definitely worth a shot! Happy to be wrong if it means a family gets answers.

View attachment 18097

Spoiler

View attachment 18098

well, it looks like theres just a small amount of hair covering up kerze's forehead. and that hair looks to be a similar texture but jessie doe's hair looks wet. it was described as having just a little bit of texture just like kerze's. they might have cleaned him up due to the natural oils that build up in human hair. they werent bathing him while in a coma. for sure cut off all of his hair, too. but look at those eyes. the shape is just the same along with the eyebrows. personally, i thought the face shape was similar. and with him having terrible vision, he got hit by a car. kerze was extremely nearsighted and couldnt see anything unless it was close to his face. im also fairly sure he was under the influence at the time of the crash. i mean, he was running across the highway. christopher was suicidal, and i never even wanted to consider it throughout the years, but this could have been intentional having nothing to do with drugs. they have a scar on their hairlines in the same place according to the autopsy report (if i remember correctly). theres plenty of details left out with jessie doe either way because they didnt even take pictures of all his tattoos. let alone his feet. i think in that photo of kerze without glasses and a more neutral facial expression was incredibly convincing.

 

[ariel]

Eagan probably has more of Kerze (do I have the last name right?) and maybe newspapers ran some but hard to say with missing adults from a metropolitan area if it made much of a splash in the news at all. The parents have been wondering for enough years and the cops that the parents probably provided at least a few.

With Jesse, it is hard to say. They didn't care enough to treat him right so taking much for pics I think may be unlikely...

he actually went missing at 17 and was technically a child at the time which makes this very convenient.

 

[ariel]

I'm not sure if they would contact the family until they were more certain. It would raise their hopes and then crash them if they find he isn't their son. But then maybe cops want to give them hope/get some credit/show the family people are still interested and that you (and others) are looking so maybe they would tell them?

I'd sure follow up maybe every other day or so until they make a determination.

I know you are busier than heck and put all your time into jesse but maybe if this isn't a match, you could also keep your eye out for those who may match Christopher. I'm sure the parents would love to know someone cares that much.

trust me, even if its not a match christopher will be in my best interest. i wouldnt just drop him like that because im so focused on it. i want to tell the family that im looking for him so bad but i also want to be careful with their feelings. if that was my baby, i would suffer from that loss every day no matter how long its been.

 

[ariel]

wait wait- another thing, the age estimate was perfect. jessie doe looks like the average 21 year old in the 90's which would have been how old christopher was at the time.

 

[GrandmaBear]

trust me, even if its not a match christopher will be in my best interest. i wouldnt just drop him like that because im so focused on it. i want to tell the family that im looking for him so bad but i also want to be careful with their feelings. if that was my baby, i would suffer from that loss every day no matter how long its been.

When you get a final answer from Eagan, I'd tell them you don't want to bother the family but you'd appreciate it if they just passed on something about you and to tell them you care very much and will keep looking for both (if not a match) and that basically people care.

There is also the chance if the family ever googles his name I would think that they might happen on this thread. Not sure how that all works but maybe.

 

[ariel]

When you get a final answer from Eagan, I'd tell them you don't want to bother the family but you'd appreciate it if they just passed on something about you and to tell them you care very much and will keep looking for both (if not a match) and that basically people care.

There is also the chance if the family ever googles his name I would think that they might happen on this thread. Not sure how that all works but maybe.

i sure hope so. im just so happy that @Tresir got those photos of him without the glasses. i couldnt thank you enough. i dont cry a lot, but i got really emotional when i saw them. it was everything i was hoping for. i knew that when i found him i would immediately recognize him and i finally got that moment. i know CW isnt exactly the place for me to be all gushy and joyous but you guys have been here the whole ride and im grateful

anyways- monday morning officer brian should be getting back to me which is good. but, are we going to discuss the elephant in the room?

 

[GrandmaBear]

i sure hope so. im just so happy that @Tresir got those photos of him without the glasses. i couldnt thank you enough. i dont cry a lot, but i got really emotional when i saw them. it was everything i was hoping for. i knew that when i found him i would immediately recognize him and i finally got that moment. i know CW isnt exactly the place for me to be all gushy and joyous but you guys have been here the whole ride and im grateful

anyways- monday morning officer brian should be getting back to me which is good. but, are we going to discuss the elephant in the room?

I'm happy to help. I don't get much time and wouldn't say I have a lot of skills like doing side by sides but if I happen to have time to stay up on threads and see something that brings a thought, I'll offer it. I don't mind researching normally and I try to offer videos on more current crimes and info, etc. but I haven't even had time to google my own things I need to take care of lately.

I think most here would be fine if you were a bit gushy lol. And we have joy when a murder is solved, a perp arrested, someone has a new grandchild, etc. I think I speak for all.

I actually have had quite a long hard day so maybe I'm just tired and clueless. What is the elephant in the room? Or do you mean with the cop and what elephant? I should know i'm sure but I am drawing a blank and my brain is tired

 

[GrandmaBear]

And yes, I'm so glad @Tresir put that together for you. I also was happy to see side by sides from @SheWhoMustNotBeNamed

It is so much easier for me to see at least than going from one page to another to try to compare them.

 

[ariel]

I'm happy to help. I don't get much time and wouldn't say I have a lot of skills like doing side by sides but if I happen to have time to stay up on threads and see something that brings a thought, I'll offer it. I don't mind researching normally and I try to offer videos on more current crimes and info, etc. but I haven't even had time to google my own things I need to take care of lately.

I think most here would be fine if you were a bit gushy lol. And we have joy when a murder is solved, a perp arrested, someone has a new grandchild, etc. I think I speak for all.

I actually have had quite a long hard day so maybe I'm just tired and clueless. What is the elephant in the room? Or do you mean with the cop and what elephant? I should know i'm sure but I am drawing a blank and my brain is tired

the elephant:

we might have just solved a 32 year old disappearance and gave a name to a doe in the process
so, how are we celebrating over here? its a huge deal and we as civilians solved it

and sorry for the late response i was straightening my dads hair/:

 

[GrandmaBear]

the elephant:

we might have just solved a 32 year old disappearance and gave a name to a doe in the process
so, how are we celebrating over here? its a huge deal and we as civilians solved it

and sorry for the late response i was straightening my dads hair/:

No rush to respond. I pop in and out myself. Listening to crime videos. I also follow cooking ones but not seeing too many news one of those tonight.

Straightening hair. Fun.

Oh yes there will be a need to celebrate. I think we are waiting for them to confirm. You will definitely be a heroine here. Thing is you likely won't have time for us, the news will want to talk to you and more.

Assuming you get given credit of course which you should be if that happens!

 

[ariel]

No rush to respond. I pop in and out myself. Listening to crime videos. I also follow cooking ones but not seeing too many news one of those tonight.

Straightening hair. Fun.

Oh yes there will be a need to celebrate. I think we are waiting for them to confirm. You will definitely be a heroine here. Thing is you likely won't have time for us, the news will want to talk to you and more.

Assuming you get given credit of course which you should be if that happens!

oh dear, i wouldnt want credit i would just be glad that Christopher would be home and a family would have some answers. here lets discuss this in the basement

 

[Tresir]

If they do match, why has there been no DNA match already?

Also, if he lay in a coma for a year, why didn't they take a photo when he was alive?

 

[ariel]

If they do match, why has there been no DNA match already?

Also, if he lay in a coma for a year, why didn't they take a photo when he was alive?

its only been 3 days since ive contacted and it takes a while for that information to get into the right hands. were just in a waiting period.

im not sure if theyre allowed to take photos of people who are in a coma. its illegal to take a living persons picture without their consent and he wasnt awake to tell them that they could. but if they could do that they werent really focused on him enough to care. atlanta PD and grady hospital most likely assumed he was homeless, and the american justice system is known to just hate homeless people):

 

[ariel]

i think the love of laser tag and computers aligns with the battle star Galactica and flaming star tattoos. along with the one tattoo they didnt take a picture of which was a globe with an imaginary language surrounding it. very stereotypical "nerdy" interest. not that thats a bad thing, but its something to take note of!