Police unveil sculpture of mysterious murder victim whose body was discovered in 1980

While making a pit stop on a rural road near Markham, Ont in 1980 a motorist stumbled across the skeletal remains of a young man.

Along with the body police found a pair of ladies red high-heeled shoes, white socks, jeans and a powder compact with mirror. All of this is believed to belong to the victim. He – she – was a cross dresser.

The victim was white between 25 to 40 years old when he was killed. He stood approximately 5’6’’ tall with a slim build, weighing between 100 and 120 pounds and had dark brown hair. He was quietly buried in a pauper’s grave and to this day his identity remains a mystery.

On Dec 1 York Regional Police unveiled a sculpture of what his face may have looked like in life along with a sketch of how he may have been dressed before he was murdered. Check out the press release here.

This is just one of at least three cold cases involving victims with ties to Toronto’s gay communities. In two other cases, forensic sculptures, like the one of the Markham man, have led police to identify long-nameless victims. Read Xtra’s investiagion into the murders of Dick Hovey and Eric Jones here.

James Henry Greenidge remains in prison in BC.

It was so long ago but let’s give this person his name back. Do you recognize him from the pics below? Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Homicide Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7864, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, and Xtra at matt.mills@xtra.ca.

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, and Xtra at matt.mills@xtra.ca.