New facial recognition image released of unidentified 1990 Alabama teen murder victim
The body was discovered Sept. 22, 1990, on a creek bed off Anderson Road, about one-tenth of a mile from Interstate 85 in Opelika.
Mason Reed 
More than three decades after a teen was found murdered in Opelika, investigators have released a new facial recognition image as they push to finally identify the victim. This latest development follows an exhumation and a specialized examination of the remains, offering fresh hope in a cold case that has baffled authorities since 1990.
The Discovery
The body was discovered Sept. 22, 1990, lying on a creek bed off Anderson Road, just a tenth of a mile from Interstate 85. An autopsy in Montgomery later confirmed the teenager died from a single gunshot wound. Despite an exhaustive investigation at the time, detectives could not match the victim to any missing persons reports. He was eventually laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery under the name John Doe.
New Findings
Following the exhumation of the remains on May 5, the chief medical examiner for the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and a forensic anthropologist conducted a new evaluation on May 8. While original 1990 reports estimated the victim was between 18 and 25 years old, the new examination suggests the victim was actually a juvenile between 15 and 18 years old. He is estimated to have stood between 5-feet, 5-inches and 5-feet, 6-inches tall, weighing between 135 and 145 pounds.
Investigative Efforts
Opelika police are now utilizing advancements in investigative genetic genealogy, hoping to achieve the same breakthroughs seen in other cold cases. A bone sample was collected during the recent examination for DNA analysis, allowing detectives to cross-reference the updated physical profile against missing persons cases from 1990 or earlier that may have been previously overlooked.
At the time he was found, the victim was wearing a white St. Louis Cardinals jersey with red pin stripes, Jordache blue jeans, and black Ellesse shoes.
How to Help
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. A $5,000 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest. You can contact detectives at 334-705-5220, the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665, or Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP.
