Cold case investigators seek identity of man found in 2004 along Route 30 in Absecon
Absecon, NJ – Authorities are renewing efforts to identify a homicide victim whose remains were discovered 22 years ago in a marsh near U.S. Route 30, asking the public for assistance after new forensic testing provided additional clues about the man’s background.
The case began on Feb. 17, 2004, when New Jersey Department of Corrections personnel conducting a roadside cleanup found human remains inside a laundry bag. Absecon Police responded to the scene, and an autopsy confirmed the remains belonged to an adult male. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
A clay facial reconstruction was created by the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Services in hopes of identifying the victim. Extensive investigative work, including DNA testing and reviews of missing persons cases, produced no matches.
In 2023, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office obtained funding for advanced DNA analysis. The results suggested the victim may have been of South Asian descent, potentially from India or Pakistan, but no further leads emerged.
Investigators believe the man had been deceased at least two months before the discovery. No clothing or personal belongings were found at the scene. The victim is estimated to have been between 25 and 35 years old with black hair, a prominent nose, and overlapping front teeth. Post-mortem dental records remain available for comparison.
Anyone who had a missing South Asian relative or acquaintance between mid-to-late 2003 and early 2004, or who recognizes the victim, is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit Tip Line at 609-909-7666.
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Key Points
- Human remains found in 2004 near Route 30 in Absecon remain unidentified
- DNA analysis suggests the victim may be of South Asian descent
- Investigators ask public to review missing persons from 2003–2004