Arlington Police Seek Identity Of Man Whose Body Was Found In Ballston Basement

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County police are asking for the public’s help identifying an adult male whose remains were found in 2024 at an abandoned property in the Ballston area.

Police were dispatched shortly before 5 p.m. Feb. 26, 2024, to the property. According to the Arlington County Police Department, human remains were located in the basement during a walkthrough of the recently purchased property. Detectives then opened a death investigation.

Police reported that an official cause of death could not be determined. The investigation so far has not revealed signs of foul play, according to the department.

Since the remains were discovered, detectives have been working to identify the man so the investigation can move forward and next of kin can be notified, according to the department. Police said they have exhausted current leads. DNA was recovered, but no match was found in the national Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS.

Based on an anthropological examination, the remains are believed to be those of a male of European ancestry with possible African admixture, in his mid-50s to late 60s and about 5-foot-8 to 6 feet tall, according to police. The department said facial features may include a heavy V-shaped central brow ridge, wide interorbital distance, pronounced anterior nasal spine, missing numerous teeth and a rugged square chin.

Police said the FBI assisted in creating composite drawings showing how the man may have appeared.

Anyone with information that could help identify the deceased is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department tip line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us. Information can also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).