Headless Body Found In Lake Michigan Still Unidentified; Authorities Seek Help From Public

KENOSHA, WI — Nearly two months after being found, a body found near Lake Michigan missing a head and a hand has not been identified, Wisconsin authorities said at a press conference Tuesday.

The Kenosha County Medical Examiner and others have so far been unable to figure out the person's sex, age or race, although personal items found on the body suggest a Lake County, Illinois, connection.

After an autopsy in Milwaukee, the remains are now at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for a forensic anthropology exam and DNA testing.

The body was likely that of a man, based on its clothing, the medical examiner said. Ever since it was discovered in the Wisconsin town of Somers on Dec. 28, 2016, authorities have been asking the public for help identifying the decomposed skeletal remains.

The medical examiner said it was likely the body had been in the water "for months if not a year," according to the Kenosha News.

Some of the items found with the body suggest a connection to Waukegan, including a Thorntons rewards card found in the person's pants that had been used for several purchases between 2012 and 2014 at the 2201 N. Green Bay Road gas station.

At the Tuesday press conference, Kenosha County Sheriff Dave Beth said there were no missing persons matching the remains reported in Wisconsin or Illinois. He told reporters he hoped that pictures of the keys and clothing could lead to someone recognizing the belongings and coming forward to help authorities identify the body.

A photo of the key chain provided by the Kenosha County Sheriff shows a house key, a padlock key and round car key, which the sheriff said appeared to belong to a Cadillac or General Motors car (possibly a Seville or Deville made between 1980 and 1999).

The body was found wearing a hooded Reebok sweatshirt (size 3XL; see top photo), which authorities say was originally black with red and orange distressed lettering across the front chest.

The person also had a light-blue lighter and a tube of Chapstick with a blue label in their pants pocket.

They also were wearing a thermal Sada-brand shirt and dark pants (size XL) by “Lions Crest by English Laundry” with an elastic waistband.

The person also wore a ribbed Hanes tank top and Fruit of the Loom boxer-style underwear, the medical examiner said.

Note: Authorities request anyone with information call Medical Examiner Patrice Hall at (262) 653-3869 or Det. Kris Schwartz at (262) 605-5102

Photos: Courtesy of the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office

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