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Suicide's identity is still a mystery By JILL BRISKEY Jackson County sheriff's investigators still don't know the identity of a man who allegedly committed suicide in the old Starlight Drive-in on South Pacific Highway. A sketch artist created a composite drawing of the man, and police are asking for the public's help in order to solve the mystery. According to Sgt. Rich Fogarty, the man's body was discovered Feb. 23 in the old building. Fogarty said the man apparently hanged himself. "It looks like he was a transient," Fogarty said. "There was no indication that foul play was involved." A homeless man discovered the body after traveling to the building on his bicycle to drink with friends, Fogarty said. Fogarty said homeless residents often use the old theater as a shelter or gathering place. Investigators believe the man died a few hours before he was discovered. Although the sheriff's department received and investigated several tips, they have not been able to identify the man. The man's fingerprints have been forwarded to FBI offices in Washington, but Fogarty said it may take several months before the results come back. A local fingerprint search proved unsuccessful. Fogarty said he does not know if the man is from the area, but said he appeared to have led a transient lifestyle. He said the man could have been a regular visitor to the Rogue Valley. "We just don't know any details at this point," Fogarty added. The unidentified man was white, appeared to be in his early 30s, 6-foot-4, between 150 and 160 pounds. The man had long brown hair and hazel eyes. Investigators said the man was wearing a gray sweat jacket with a hood. The man also was wearing a long-sleeved maroon shirt, thermal top, black T-shirt, jeans and black tennis shoes. Deputies said the man had a well-groomed mustache. After discovering the body, deputies found a knit watch cap, green Cabelo Gortex coat, a cigarette lighter, sunglasses and a battery-operated travel clock that appeared to belong to him. "We're hoping that somebody might know who he is, or remembered meeting him sometime back," Fogarty said. Anybody with information is urged to contact the sheriff's department at 774-6800. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.