Man Found Dead In Boxcar In 1994 ID'd In Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Investigators have identified a man whose body was found 30 years ago in Santa Clara, but efforts to locate potential relatives have yet to turn up any leads, according to county officials.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office said Ian M. Shepard was found dead inside a railroad boxcar on July 18, 1994, between Reed Street and De la Cruz Boulevard. Investigators believe the boxcar arrived in the Santa Clara by way of either Milpitas or Oakland.

According to the coroner's office, Shepard was 40 years old when he was found. He was described as white, thin, and standing roughly 6 feet tall, with dark grey-brown hair measuring 10 inches long. Investigators said Shepard's mustache was approximately 1.5 inches long and he had a full grey beard measuring about 4 inches.

He was found covered with a light blanket and lying on a blue aluminum sheet. Investigators at the time said red pants, green pants and a sock were located near the body, along with a dark duffel bag, large tennis shoes and possible prescription medication identified as nitroglycerin.

The coroner's office is looking for public help in reaching Shepard's potential next of kin. Anyone with information that could help identify his relatives can contact the investigations unit at 408-793-1900, extension 3.