Full Notification

The Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit is requesting the assistance of the public in connection with a 1978 death investigation.
 
On April 8, 1978, police were dispatched to a landfill in the 600 block of Terminal Avenue, where they located a deceased male subject. The man, who has not yet been identified, was believed to be approximately 17 to 25 years of age, and could have been at that location for as long as 7 years before he was located.
 
The Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit has continued the investigation into the identity and cause of death of the subject. Further investigation revealed that the subject had a severe pelvic deformity that would have caused him to walk with a noticeable limp on his right side that may have required the assistance of crutches or a cane.
 
The Unit has partnered with Moxxy Forensic Investigations, which believes that the subject likely had African American ancestral ties to South Carolina and Delaware. Moxxy also identified surnames that could be related to the subject – including Harris, Ray, Rodgers and Dukes.
 
Anyone who believes this subject might be a relative is also encouraged to contact Kaycee Connelly of
Moxxy Forensic Investigations at [email protected], or to visit moxxyforensics.com to learn  more about how you can assist investigators.
 
Police encourage anyone with information about this subject – including his identity and/or cause of death – to contact Cold Case Investigator Steven Rizzo at (302) 576-3937 or Detective Devon Jones of the WPD Criminal Investigations Division at (302) 576-3631.