OC Sheriff Releases New Forensic Image Of 2013 Newport Beach John Doe

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department released an updated forensic image of a 2013 John Doe Monday in an effort to help identify the man and solve his case.

According to the department, the man’s body was found by a commercial fishing vessel about a mile off the coast of Newport Beach on December 24, 2013. At the time, authorities believed him to have been Caucasian or Latin American but could not confirm his ethnicity as his body was in an advanced state of decomposition, the sheriff’s department said. The case went cold.

In October 2021, investigators revisited the case and submitted DNA extracted from the man’s bones, according to the department. Thanks to a genetic profile, authorities now believe that the man was primarily of Chinese descent.

The updated photo is based on the victim’s genetic profile.

Anyone who recognizes John Doe or may have information on his case is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 714-647-7055 or email coldcase@ocsheriff.gov. Anonymous tips may be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.