Coquitlam RCMP has released an image of an unidentified male whose body was discovery near a local cemetery 20 years ago this month, in the hope that someone can provide a fresh lead.

On July 2, 1998 a resident was walking their dog near a heavily wooded area in the 4100 block of Oxford Street in Port Coquitlam, B.C., when they came across the remains.

At the time, a forensic anthropologist estimated the male had already been dead for at least two years, and possibly as long as 10. Despite the drawing and a DNA profile, police have not been able to identify him.

Now they are hoping either a family member will recognize the man from the drawing, or someone might remember seeing him in the area two decades ago.

Tooth missing, crooked nose

The mystery person is believed to have been of Caucasian and First Nations mixed ancestry, with visible tooth decay. Police say one upper front tooth was missing and was probably removed about a year before he died.

He stood about six feet tall and would have had a visible health condition called Osgood-Schlatter disease. The disease appears as a bump on the shin below the knee and is found in young people who play physically demanding sports such as soccer or hockey. Also, the man's nose would have appeared crooked after healing from a break.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man to call Coquitlam RCMP's non-emergency number at 604-945-1550 and ask for Const. Michael Keller.

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