New Facial Rendering Made To Identify 2015 Bones Found In Buford

BUFORD, GA — A Georgia Bureau of Investigation forensic artist recently reevaluated the case of unidentified remains found in Buford from July 2015. Artist Kelly Lawson has been working with the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office to update the image previously released, using facial photo rendering.

Discovered in 2015, the remains appeared to have already been there several years and had deteriorated, making a positive ID difficult.

Bones were found of a man who was estimated to be between 25-40 years of age at the time of his death. He may be between 5’3” and 5’7”. No clothing or personal effects were located due to the amount of time the body was at the location. The remains show multiple composite fillings and one root canal involving a tooth of the lower jaw. Exact information about hair color, hair length, and skin tone is unknown.

There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play noted at the scene. The Medical Examiner is still not able to determine a cause of death.

More human bones have been found after a second search of the Buford site where unidentified skeletal remains were discovered in 2015.

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The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's office conducted a second search of the area — between Satellite Boulevard and Buford Highway, near Suwanee Creek — on March 3, 2017, and located four additional bones belonging to an unidentified man.

The remains first were originally discovered in July 2015 and were believed to have already been there several years at the time.

Investigators are theorizing that the man may have been associated with contractors responsible for the construction of subdivisions in the area.

But no personal effects have been found with the remains and no cause of death has been determined.

In 2017, detectives released a new sketch, by Georgia Bureau of Investigation forensic artist Kelly Lawson, in hopes of helping identify the remains.

The sketch is based in part on the artist's impressions. Exact skin tone, hair color, hair length and the like aren't known.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters may contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
They may also text a tip to "Crimes" (274637). Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

Photo and art courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department