On May 25 th , 2023 at approximately 06:37 A.M., a citizen called to report that he/she believed they may
have found human skeletal remains lying in a small creek located behind several residences in the 900
block of Lockner Road in the Columbia area of Lexington County.

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office responded and verified that the remains were, in fact, human
remains. Anthropologist, Doctor Bill Stevens responded to the scene and met with LCCO Deputy
Coroners as well as the City of Columbia Police Department.

It is believed that approximately 90 percent of the skeletal remains of a “John Doe” were recovered.
Anthropology findings are inconclusive and vague as of now, but here is the information obtained from
the scene investigation as well as processing what was recovered of the skeletal remains.

Anthropologist Dr. Stevens believes that the skeletal remains are those of a White or Hispanic male. Age
is believed to be between 30-45 years old possibly. Height is believed to be 6’0 to 6’3” tall. The skeletal
remains revealed that this male had healed injuries to include a past broken nose, past fractured right
clavicle, and past rib fractures. Again, these were healed injuries and not recent to the recovery of the
remains.

Also, this male had dental fillings within the last 5-10 years. Fillings were present in at least
two upper molars. Teeth were found to be in fairly good general condition with two molars possibly
missing on the lower mandible. The only clothing recovered at the scene was one black in color work
type boot that was a size 12. Brand name for the boot was “Brahma.” No sock. The one boot was still
attached to the skeletal remains. (Picture of boot is attached)

One other important piece of evidence found to hopefully aid in the identification of this male is that a
tattoo can be observed on the skin of an upper arm/bicep area. Unknown at this time whether the
tattoo was located on the right or left arm due to decomposition. Tattoo is of the word “DAD” in all
uppercase letters with possibly another word or picture above it. (Photo attached)

The scene location is fairly close to the Target Store in the Harbison area of Columbia and there are
several homeless camps in very close proximity to where the remains were located.

OFFICE OF THE CORONER

LEXINGTON COUNTY

Margaret Fisher 117 DUFFIE DRIVE
CORONER LEXINGTON, SC 29072
803-359-8439 – Office
[email protected] 803-785-8492 – Fax

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office is continuing to investigate and further updates will be shared as
necessary. It is our hope that someone may know who this person is and will come forward with
information that will lead us to his identity.
If you have any information that could possibly help with the identification of this person, please call the
Lexington County Coroner’s Office at 803-359-8439 between the hours of 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Monday through Friday. DO NOT POST ANY POSSIBLE INFORMATION TO SOCIAL MEDIA AS THOSE SITES
ARE NOT MONITORED.