Authorities Seek Help Identifying Remains Found on N.J. Road Over 20 Years Ago

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Investigators are still trying to identify human remains found on the side of Route 30 in Absecon, New Jersey in 2004. The victim, an unknown male between 25-35 years old at the time of his death, was found in a laundry bag and determined to have been killed by homicide. Recent DNA testing suggests he was potentially of South Asian descent, specifically Indian or Pakistani.

Why it matters

This unsolved cold case has remained a mystery for over 20 years, leaving the victim's identity and circumstances of death unknown. Identifying the remains could provide closure for the victim's family and potentially lead to solving the homicide.

The details

State Department of Corrections workers found the remains during a roadside cleanup in 2004. An autopsy determined the victim was a male who had been dead for around 2 months at the time of discovery. He had distinctive physical features like black hair, a prominent nose, and overlapping teeth, but no clothing or personal items were recovered from the scene. In 2023, advanced DNA testing indicated the victim was potentially of South Asian descent.

• The remains were discovered on February 17, 2004 along Route 30 in Absecon, New Jersey.
• The victim was estimated to have been dead for about 2 months at the time the remains were found.

What’s next

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office continues to investigate this cold case and is appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the victim and solve the homicide.