OPELIKA, Ala. – The Opelika Police Department, in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), is releasing a newly created digital facial reconstruction of an unidentified male homicide victim discovered in 1990.
Investigators hope this new image will resonate with someone and finally provide a name to the young victim. This update follows a breakthrough announced on May 18, 2026. Following the exhumation and a comprehensive forensic re-examination of the remains by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) and forensic anthropologists, investigators revealed that the victim was significantly younger than originally believed.
While the initial 1990 autopsy estimated the victim’s age to be between 18 and 25 years old, the new examination determined the victim was actually a juvenile, between 15 and 18 years old, and stood approximately 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall.
With the updated age profile classifying the victim as a child at the time of his death, NCMEC was able to officially join the investigation. Utilizing theirpecialized resources, a NCMEC Forensic Artist created a new facial reconstruction depicting what the young man may have looked like in life.
At the time the body was recovered from a creek bed off Anderson Road in September 1990, the victim was wearing a white St. Louis Cardinals pinstripe jersey, Jordache blue jeans and black Ellesse shoes.
CrimeStoppers 215-STOP is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in the case.
Tips can be submitted by:
• Calling the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705 5220
• Calling the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665
• Submitting anonymously via the Opelika Police mobile app
• Calling CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or toll-free at 1-833-AL1 STOP
Additional case details and media can be found on the City of Opelika website at: https://www.opelika-al.gov/1130/Unidentified
