Cold Case Files: More than 25-years have passed since the discovery of an unidentified body at Lock and Dam 13

On May 12, 1983, workers at Lock and Dam 13 in Fort Smith made a grim discover--A man's body floated in the river near the south end of the fourth gate on the west side. The site sits in Sebastian County, just four miles from the Oklahoma state line.

Experts believe the body may have drifted downstream from Oklahoma along the Arkansas River. Several homeless camps lined the riverbanks nearby at the time, adding to the mystery of how he ended up there.

Despite decades of effort, the man remains unidentified. No one has claimed him, and no missing person report matches his description perfectly.

Investigators estimate the man was white and between 25 and 35 years old at the time of death. He stood 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 143 pounds, both measured exactly. He died in 1983, likely shortly before the body was found, though the exact postmortem interval stays unknown.

Decomposition had set in by recovery time.

The remains were not recognizable due to putrefaction, a natural process after death in water. All body parts were recovered, but advanced decay prevented clear facial details.

His hair was brown, fine in texture, and about six inches long. He had a long beard, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches, along with a mustache. No eye color or other distinctive features, like scars or tattoos, were noted.

The man's clothing and items offer the best clues. He wore a medium-sized polo shirt, short-sleeved, made of 50 percent polyester and 50 percent cotton, from the brand Lord & Taylor. Over it was a blue denim jacket, size 40 regular, lined with red pile, from Dickies and made in Mexico. The sleeve lining was 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton.A black belt with a large brass-like buckle measured 39 inches.

His blue jeans came from Levi Strauss & Co., with a 31-inch waist and 32-inch length. On his feet were dark blue athletic shoes with white side panels, size 10, paired with green ribbed calf-length socks.

Personal items included a blue handkerchief with a white butterfly pattern. He carried a two-blade knife with a wooden handle; one blade resembled a screwdriver with an arc-like depression on the dull edge.

A Papermate pen had a silver-like top and red bottom barrel, marked as complimentary from Richard E. Frank-Geiger Bros. A silver-like ID bracelet was inscribed "Stg. A Co." He also had a small buckle and a black comb

.These everyday objects suggest a practical lifestyle, perhaps tied to travel or outdoor work. The mix of brands points to mid-range stores common in the early 1980s.

\

Leads have stalled over the years. The river location raises questions: accident, suicide, or foul play? No signs of trauma were reported, but water damage complicates such findings.

Homeless camps nearby hint he may have lived rough, yet his clean measurements and full inventory of items argue against long-term exposure

Local authorities continue to seek matches. Dental records, fingerprints, and DNA are available for comparison, though not detailed publicly here. Tips from the public remain the key hope.

This John Doe could be someone's son, brother, or friend. If you recognize the description, clothing, or items, contact the Sebastian County Coroner's Office.

Even small details from 1983 might crack the case. Share this story. Help bring closure to a life cut short in the Arkansas River.