Mystery of 'John Doe #3' found dead in creek bed finally solved after 45 years The identity of a man known only as 'John Doe #3' has finally been revealed, nearly 45 years after his body was discovered.
After 44 years, through facial reconstruction, new DNA testing, and forensic genetic genealogy, the man was positively identified as 25 year old Donald Gene Horecka from Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, in July 2023, as part of the Doe Cold Case Project, 'John Doe #3's' body was exhumed and the investigation into his identity and the events leading up to his death was reopened.
Detectives have credited advances in facial reconstruction and DNA testing for helping them identify the man found on February 2, 1980, as Donald Gene Horecka.
The Sheriff's office has shared a striking set of images showing what Donald Horecka looked like as a teenager, alongside a CGI portrait of his possible appearance before his death.
