A man found dead along Marlowe Avenue in Cincinnati’s College Hill neighborhood on Nov. 4 still has not been identified, despite investigators running his fingerprints. Hamilton County officials say they’re now turning to the public for help, hoping someone recognizes a distinctive detail: a chest tattoo reading “No Worries.”
Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco said the man’s body was found on Nov. 4 along Marlowe Avenue, according to WLWT. Local 12 reports the same discovery, though that outlet spells the street “Marlow Avenue” rather than “Marlowe.” Beyond the tattoo, Local 12 reports investigators believe the man previously had head surgery, a detail they hope might jog someone’s memory or match medical records.
Dr. Sammarco said officials believe the man died of natural causes, per WLWT’s report. Local 12’s account aligns with that, noting officials believe he may have died of natural causes but that no cause of death has been publicly identified. His identity remains unknown despite investigators checking his fingerprints, the station reports.
How the Coroner’s Office Tries to Put a Name to a Face
Identifying someone who dies without identification on them falls squarely on the coroner’s office. The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office states that the task of identifying any person who is found dead is its responsibility, and that the process typically begins with an immediate response from coroner staff and law enforcement, since initial presumptive information may lead to the decedent’s identity.
When fingerprints alone don’t crack a case, investigators lean on other markers. The coroner’s office says available fingerprints along with dental records, medical documentation of unique anatomical features, and documented tattoos are all beneficial characteristics for identification — which is likely why the “No Worries” tattoo and the suspected head surgery are being publicized now.
Not an Isolated Case for the County
This isn’t the first time Hamilton County has asked the public to help put a name to someone found dead. Just weeks earlier, the coroner’s office said it was seeking relatives of 69-year-old Keith Shields, who died Oct. 15, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. In that case, officials did not release further details about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Further back, in March 2025, the coroner’s office said it was trying to identify two individuals found in separate locations across the Greater Cincinnati area, according to FOX19 — one discovered in a wooded area near Sacred Heart Field in Mt. Storm, and skeletal remains found in Delhi Township. In that instance, the public was asked to call the coroner’s office at 513-946-8700, the same number people can use to share information now.
What Comes Next
For now, officials are working to identify the man found near Marlowe Avenue, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office at 513-946-8700. Until someone comes forward, the man’s name — and the people who might be looking for him — remain unknown.
