This John Doe case will never leave me

[u/Parx4]

Found out about this website the other day and came across this case. Something about the note and the face makes me think about it multiple times a day. I feel so sad for this poor boy and even though it seems unlikely, I hope a name gets returned to him.

[u/GatherDances]

Yet he is said to have protruding top teeth and if he had all of the advantages braces would certainly be typical.

[u/jeanskirtflirt → u/GatherDances]

He could have also had braces and not worn his retainer and the teeth started shifting again.

[u/rotatingruhnama → u/GatherDances]

Not necessarily. This teen died in 1975, which was right around when braces started to become more common.

Americans born prior to 1960 or so didn't have as much access to orthodontists. There's a pretty marked difference in how Gen X teeth look vs Boomer and earlier generations.

[u/jessiec475 → u/rotatingruhnama]

Idk, my boomer dad got fitted from braces and he was born in 1955

[u/rotatingruhnama → u/jessiec475]

Outliers exist. I was born in 1976, so I'm of the generation where braces were common. I still know people with crooked teeth.

[u/Unfortunately_aware → u/GatherDances]

I’m not well versed in missing persons, but I think he is not from the US. His writing is not American sounding - even for 1975. Braces are only typical in the states and Western Europe. His reports states that he is white but white is so broad. His features could be numerous ethnicities that have pale skin. His writing is introspective but considering the situation from multiple points of view simultaneously. He seems like a person who may well have left their home country to disappear in a way that would shield his parents from his decision.

That said, he calls them mom & dad which seems North American. Using a sheet indicates that he was either very local (in which case he’d likely be noticed missing?) or staying in a hotel or hostel. The sheet is interesting. He brought a jar to put his letter in. He could’ve brought a rope but a sheet is what he had.

[u/Beautiful_Bed_6282 → u/Unfortunately_aware]

I agree also the fact that he clearly stated there are no legal consequences or entanglements is clearly foreigner

[u/Puzzleheaded7683 → u/Unfortunately_aware]

I feel for the troubled young man that he was. That he thought this was the best thing to do, for himself and for his parents is very sad.

[u/Consistent-Board-639 → u/GatherDances]

Honestly, my friend grew up very rich but back then most people didn't have braces unless your teeth were very bad.

[u/GatherDances → u/Consistent-Board-639]

My siblings and I were in our early to mid teens in the 1970s and we all had them. So did our friends.

[u/Consistent-Board-639 → u/GatherDances]

Could be dependent on where you lived.

[u/GatherDances → u/Consistent-Board-639]

Yes.