Columbus detectives are once again turning to the public, hoping someone can finally put a name to the man whose burned remains were discovered beneath an I-670 overpass in December 2021. The body was found in a homeless encampment on the 500 block of Edgar Waldo Way and was burned beyond recognition. Authorities classify the death as a homicide, according to the Franklin County Coroner's Office.
Investigators say forensic analysis indicates the victim was a man between about 24 and 46 years old, roughly 5-foot-2, with black or brown hair and Central American ancestry, with parents likely from El Salvador or Guatemala. Detectives have flagged several surnames of interest, including De Paz, Paz, Pineda and Castillo. They also documented a surgical-style screw in the left ankle, plus a second screw recovered with the remains. A pair of size 7.5 Justin Ladies Classic Roper boots found near the scene bore the man's DNA and had circular indentations on the soles that may reflect the type of work he did, investigators said, according to WSYX.
Where the Body Was Found
Official Cold Case Unit records show patrol officers were dispatched after a caller reported a body beneath a highway overpass on the 500 block of Edgar Waldo Way on Dec. 8, 2021. Columbus Division of Fire arson investigators and homicide detectives responded, and the Franklin County Coroner sent the remains for autopsy. Four days later, the coroner notified homicide detectives that the death was a homicide, as detailed by the City of Columbus.
Coroner and NamUs Details
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office lists the recovery beneath the I-670 overpass south of Vine Street and links the case to NamUs entry UP88076, noting the decedent measured about 62 inches and that DNA is on file, information investigators hope will eventually yield a match. The coroner's page identifies law enforcement involvement as the Columbus Division of Police and confirms the case is being treated as a homicide, according to the Franklin County Coroner's Office.
How to Help
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4036; anonymous tips can be submitted to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477), investigators said. Detectives note that even small details, such as a nickname, a last-known town, or family ties in El Salvador or Guatemala, could produce the lead that finally matches the decedent to relatives, according to WSYX.
Why Identification Matters
Columbus detectives have turned to forensic genealogy in difficult unidentified-person cases. Reporting on the city’s work says genealogical leads in this investigation point to family ties in Suchitoto, El Salvador, and Jutiapa, Guatemala. Those findings prompted outreach to consular officials and international groups as investigators try to reconnect the decedent with surviving relatives, as noted in coverage originally published by The Columbus Dispatch via AOL.
