April 3, 1972 Coconino County, Arizona Native American John Doe

On April 3, 1972 in Coconino County Arizona a native American man was found in a gully near Cow Springs. There was only one set of footsteps leading up to the body. It was estimated that he may have been there around 14 days. He was not recognizable due to decomposition.

The John Doe was a Native American male between the ages of 18 and 30. He was around 5'5 and weighed around 135. Hair color and eye color is unknown. He was wearing blue trousers, brown socks, black shoes and a blue shirt. There was also a grocery receipt found with him. There are no images available in this case.

Fingerprints are available, but DNA and Dentals are not.


SOURCES:
https://www.identifyus.org/en/cases/10677

Gordie Sanderson (Tolfield John Doe) Identified

In June of 2021 Tolfied John Doe or Septic, Tank Sam was identified as 26-year-old Gordie Sanderson. He was identified through genetic genealogy with the assistance of Othram Inc. Gordie was living in Edmonton in the 70s. 

 

Images of Reconstructions of Gordie

Information on Crime

On April 13, 1977, in Tofield, Alberta Canada the McLeod family was searching their abandoned property 1.8-meter septic tank for a pump. When Mavis McLeod saw a grey sock and a brown shoe inside the tank they automatically called the police. The police found the body of a man wrapped in a yellow bed sheet tied with nylon. Police officers gave John Doe the nickname Septic Tank Sam and they believed it was one of the most sadistic crimes they'd seen. It wouldn't be until June of 2021 that he would get his name back.

Gordie was tortured before his death. He was tied up possibly to a bed and beaten. His torturers burned his body with a blowtorch and cigarettes, he was sexually mutilated and was shot twice. He was then tied up in the sheets and placed head first in the septic tank. He was then covered in lime in an attempt to dissolve the body. The body was in such bad condition that it took months to determine if it was a man or a woman. He had been dead for several months.

They believe that the person or persons who tortured him lived in the area. For them to know that the building was abandoned in the rural area.

Description of Gordie as John D

He was possibly a biracial Caucasian and First Nations Male. He was more than likely more First Nations than Caucasian. He was between the ages of 26- 40 years old. He had a medium build and was around 5'5-5'7 and weighed around 145-165 lbs. His hair color was brown and it is unknown what his eye color was. He was likely right-handed. It's believed that he had a significant illness around 5 years old.

Sam's teeth had been in good shape and had been taken care of. He had all of his teeth and some fillings, and some recent dental work. Sam's dentals were sent out to 800 dentists in the hope of identifying him. None were able to identify Sam.

He was found with brown imitation Wallabee shoes, gray socks, a blue Levi shirt with snap buttons, and a grey T-shirt, blue jeans. It is believed he may have worked in some sort of labor like work like being a farmhand and or a construction worker or any jobs like that.  He was likely not from Alberta.

Sam does have Dentals and DNA available, but fingerprints are not.

SOURCES:

http://canadianunsolvedcrimes.weebly.com/septic-tank-sam---alberta
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1046umab.html
http://unidentified.wikia.com/wiki/Septic_Tank_Sam
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/death-of-albertas-septic-tank-sam-is-still-a-cold-case/article1354167/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
https://www.historicmysteries.com/septic-tank-sam-alberta-canada/