Mitchell Edward Preston Sr. (born October 6, 1950) was a man found deceased in Terre Haute, Indiana.
He was identified by Othram in June 2024. He was last seen in August 1997 while he was planning to visit California by foot.
Case[]
Reconstruction by LSU Faces
Preston’s remains were discovered in an embankment by a highway employee in the area of I-70 and Fruitridge Avenue, just outside of Terre Haute, Indiana. Due to the level of decomposition, as well as him being underdressed for the harsh winter season, investigators believed that he died during the summer of 1997, which ended up being correct.
An autopsy failed to determine Preston’s cause or manner of death; however, examiners noted a unique orthopedic plate placed above his ankle. The manufacturer of the plate had distributed the device in over 200 hospitals throughout the Midwestern United States. However, no precise location of origin could be established and it was not a viable lead in his identification.
Characteristics[]
- Short brown hair.
- Two healed toe fractures on the left foot.
- Healed toe fracture on the right foot.
- Left ankle fracture surgically repaired with a stainless steel plate, which likely happened between January and April 1997.
- Fillings on teeth #8, 12-15, 18, and 31.
- Poor dentition:
- Unfilled cavities on teeth #6-11.
- Abscesses above teeth #7 and 13-15.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Blue t-shirt layered over a green t-shirt.
- Blue shorts.
- Black nylon mesh shoes.
- Black watch with a plastic band.
Sources[]
- Mitchell Preston at FACES
- Vigo County John Doe at the Doe Network
- DNASolves
- Press Release