Police Ask for Help in 28-Year-Old Hudson Valley Cold Case

The State Police are looking for help with a cold case from 1991. According to a press release from Tuesday, Feb. 19 from Major Piece V. Gallagher the State Police Troop F Commander, the State Police are continuing to investigate the identity of human remains found on September 14, 1991 in the Town of Greenville. It was about 9:30 AM on that day that the New York State Police, SP Middletown responded to a report of skeletal remains found in a swampy area approximately 1/4 mile East of Woods Road and 200 yards South of Tap Stone Lane formally known as Easton Lane.

Further investigation lead to the State Police determining that the remains appear to be that of a white male in his mid-60's. It is believed that he would have been about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. Forensic evidence leads the police to believe the man died between the years 1975 and 1986. Due to the fact that the swampy area was covered with 3 to 4 feet of water until June of 1991 the body had gone unnoticed. It wasn't until the water was drained by a landowner who had sought permission from New York DEC to do so due to beaver damage that the body was discovered.

Photo of what the man might have looked like.

The body was found well dressed in blue nylon trousers, blue knit socks, a long sleeve fitted shirt, a knit sweater and size 10 wingtip shoes. Along with his clothing Police also found the male wearing horn-rimmed bifocal "Leonardo Style" glasses which were originally bought from D.J. Riehle Opticians. Unfortunately, even though the store name was clearly printed on the right arm of the glasses police were unable to use the glasses to identify the man because the store's records dating back to the 1970's were not available. This information does however lead police to believe the man lived in the Hudson valley.