Philip Kahn was a man who was found in the Atlantic Ocean in 2000.
He was identified in January 2023 after the FBI received his dental records and fingerprints. He had vanished after taking a flight to New York, and how he ended up in Maine is unknown. Philip Kahn may have changed his name in early adulthood; his birth name is still unclear.
Case[]
Phillip's remains were found floating in the Atlantic Ocean near Jonesport, Maine, in July 2000. Insect activity rendered his body unrecognizable.
The police entered his fingerprints into their databases but found no match.
The DNA Doe Project took on his case; they couldn't conclusively identify him via genetic genealogy due to the high degree of endogamy in his family tree, which is a common problem with DNA research into people of Ashkenazi Jewish family background.
Advancements in technology over the past 20 years enabled the FBI to identify him in 2023 through a fingerprint match. Dental records from Nevada confirmed Phillip's identity, as he had spent many years there working as a taxi driver in Las Vegas.
Although most people knew him as Philip Kahn for most of his adult life, many believe this was not his original name. The circumstances that led him to assume this identity remain unclear.
However, his step-daughter reported that he had told her mother that he had changed his name during the Great Depression and that his original surname was Ehrlich or Ehrlichmann.
Characteristics[]
- He had the following medical conditions:
- Cardiac hypertrophy
- Coronary Atherosclerosis.
- Moderate Emphysema
- Nephrosclerosis.
- He was possibly a pipe smoker.
- DNA phenotyping suggested the following features:
- Hazel or green eyes
- Light brown or brown hair
- A light complexion
- Possible presence of freckles.
Clothing and accessories[]
- A blue long-sleeved collared knit shirt.
- A Rearguard brand pullover with three buttons in front (size XL)
- A Chereskin brand white V-neck t-shirt (size XL)
- Two pairs of white tube socks.
- A white-metal Casio digital watch on his left wrist.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- Philip Kahn at the Doe Network
- Philip Kahn at the DNA Doe Project
- KTNV
- WMTV
- Las Vegas Review-Journal:
- Tri-City Herald
- Portland Press Herald