NEW MADRID COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - If you had a male family member go missing in the late 1970s or 1980s, the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office wants to hear from you.
According to New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson, the body of an unidentified white male was found floating in the Mississippi River on September 29, 1981. That was about five miles south of New Madrid.
The man was described as being 5′9″ tall between the ages of 25 and 30. Officials said he weighed around 155 to 160 pounds. He had “reddish brown” shoulder-length hair and was wearing red plaid underwear when he was discovered. No scars or tattoos were found on the body.
Authorities estimated that he was in the river for one week before he was discovered.
In coordination with Dr. Jennifer Bengston from Southeast Missouri State University’s Forensic Anthropology program, a plan was created last year for exhumation and possible identification using DNA technology.
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The sheriff’s office previously worked with Bengston to identify a missing person from Indiana.
On July 9, 2025, the remains of the 1981 John Doe were exhumed from an unmarked grave at Portageville Cemetery. The sheriff’s office worked with the Delisle Funeral Home, New Madrid County Coroner’s Office, Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Office, Portageville Police Department and SEMO Anthropology students during this effort.
The remains were examined by Bengston and her students for DNA material. Afterwards, the remains were taken back to the cemetery.
The DNA was sent to Othram Labs for advanced DNA testing.
A computer-generated composite was created using the man’s death certificate and information from an old article that investigators found from the recovery.
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The sheriff’s office said Bengton relayed information from Orthram Labs regarding possible leads from the DNA analysis.
Over the next few weeks, investigators will be traveling out of state to get DNA samples from people who may be genetically related to the 1981 John Doe.
The sheriff’s office speculates that the man could have been a transient and missed by family members years earlier.
They said they are hopeful about current developments.
The sheriff’s office is particularly interested in southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and Western Kentucky concerning this case.
If you have any information, you are asked to contact the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office at 573-748-2516 or email Investigator Jack Hays at jhays@nmcoso.org.
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