State Police Ask for Public's Help Solving 20-Year-Old Cold Case with Link to New Rochelle

State police are seeking the public’s help to solve a 20-year-old cold case in which an unidentified deceased male was found in a “wooded area adjacent to the Garden St. School” in Brewster.

The discovery was made on Oct. 9, 1995, and the man’s death was ruled a suicide “due to self-inflicted wounds to his wrist.”

His identity has never been discovered. He could have been African-American or Hispanic, and he was believed to have been between the ages of 40 and 50 at the time of his death.

“The deceased was well dressed wearing brown leather Dockers brand penny loafer shoes, dress socks, tan colored Hagger casual khaki knit pants, size 33 inch waist by 30 inch length, two (2) plaid button down shirts; a long sleeve green, black, and yellow plaid ’Kenneth Gordon’ brand shirt on the outside and a short sleeve plaid ’Gentleman’s Row’ brand shirt colored blue, green, and red,” state police wrote in a statement. “The deceased was also wearing a gold chained crucifix around his neck. No form of identification was found on him.”

According to police, the last time the man was seen was two days before, on Oct. 7, 1995, after he bought two expensive blankets from a curtain shop in New Rochelle.

“It is believed he traveled to Brewster from the lower Westchester County area via Metro-North Railroad,” said state police.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Brewster barracks, at (845) 677-7300 or (845) 279-8656. Refer to SJS#3020193

Below is the full press release from state police about the case:

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Brewster barracks are seeking the public’s assistance to help solve a 20-year-old cold case involving an unidentified deceased adult male.

The deceased adult male was found in a wooded area adjacent to the Garden St. School, a public school, in the Village of Brewster, NY, Putnam County, on October 9, 1995. This unknown individual’s death was ruled a suicide due to self-inflicted wounds to his wrists.

At the time of his death, he was believed to be approximately 40-50 year old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 165 pounds, brown eyes, well groomed, clean shaven, short black hair with slight gray, receding hairline, a mole on the right side of his face located by his nose, medium brown skinned complexion and perfect teeth (There were no signs of any dental work). This individual could be of black (African American) or Hispanic race.

The deceased was well dressed wearing brown leather Dockers brand penny loafer shoes, dress socks, tan colored Hagger casual khaki knit pants, size 33 inch waist by 30 inch length, two (2) plaid button down shirts; a long sleeve green, black, and yellow plaid “Kenneth Gordon” brand shirt on the outside and a short sleeve plaid “Gentleman’s Row” brand shirt colored blue, green, and red. The deceased was also wearing a gold chained crucifix around his neck. No form of identification was found on him.

The investigation to date revealed the deceased was last seen making a purchase of two expensive blankets at a curtain shop in New Rochelle, NY, Westchester County, on October 7, 1995. It is believed he traveled to Brewster from the lower Westchester County area via Metro-North Railroad.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Brewster barracks by calling (845)677-7300 or (845)279-8656. Refer to SJS#3020193

Photos: 1.) A digitally created artist rendition of the unidentified man; 2.) the crucifix he wore around his neck; 3.) one of his shoes; 4.) the inside shirt he wore; 5.) the outside shirt he wore. Photo credits: NYS Police

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