St. Petersburg, Florida – Authorities in St. Petersburg, Florida, are renewing efforts to identify a young male whose body was found in Tampa Bay near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on October 10, 1980. Despite 45 years of investigation, his identity remains unknown.
What Happened: The Discovery of an Unknown Life
On October 10, 1980, a body was discovered floating in Tampa Bay, just below the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, in St. Petersburg. The male had been deceased for less than a day prior to being found. His sudden appearance in the water has remained a mystery for over four decades. Authorities were unable to identify the individual at the time, and the case remains open, with no further information about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Who Was He: Physical Description and Clothing Details
The unidentified male is believed to have been between 15 and 25 years old, standing at approximately 5’5” and weighing around 125 pounds. He had short, curly light brown hair and brown eyes. His face showed signs of stubble, indicating a day or two of beard growth at the time of his death.
At the time of discovery, he was wearing Sears brand blue jeans, size 30 male underwear, and white socks. However, no shirt was recovered with his body, leaving some gaps in the clothing details that could help identify him.
Efforts to Identify the Deceased: Forensic Reconstruction
Over the years, multiple attempts have been made to identify the young man, including the use of forensic artistry. A computer-generated facial reconstruction of the man was completed by a forensic artist with the Miami-Dade Police Department, and images of this reconstruction have been shared by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Despite these efforts, no match has been found, and the man remains unidentified to this day.
Call for Information: Help Identify the Unidentified Male
It has been 45 years since the discovery of the unidentified male, and authorities are once again reaching out to the public in hopes of solving the case. If you have any information that could help identify this young man, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. You can reference NCMEC case number 1184259 when providing any information.
Authorities are hopeful that this renewed call for information will finally provide answers about the identity of this young individual who has been lost to time and whose family has been left without closure.
Closing Line
With the help of the public, investigators hope to finally put a name to the face of this young male and offer closure to the mystery that has remained unsolved for over four decades.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
