The Man in the Ditch: The Story of Woodbury County John Doe (1988)

Before we jump into today’s case, I want to send another huge THANK YOU to everyone who has taken time out of their day to read, comment on, and share these posts. It truly means the world to me! True crime has always been a deep passion of mine, and it feels incredibly rewarding to have a space where I can share these stories with all of you.

I don't have any new updates on the Clinton County Jane Doe just yet, but the second I hear anything, you’ll be the first to know. Now that the school year is wrapping up, I’m planning to take a trip out to visit her gravesite again soon to pay my respects.

Behind the scenes, I'm also putting together a write-up on Ben Roseland’s disappearance. I am currently trying to connect with his immediate family via Facebook because it is incredibly important to me that I have their full blessing and approval before posting anything about his case. If they’re comfortable letting me share his story, I will get that post up for you as soon as I possibly can.

A Grim Discovery on the Other Side of the State

Today’s case takes us to another unidentified decedent found right here in Iowa. This time, we are looking at a location nearly on the opposite side of the state from where our Clinton County Jane Doe was discovered.

When this man's remains were pulled from a ditch in 1988, investigators uncovered a deeply unsettling timeline: he had already been lying dead in that very spot for nearly 15 years.

It’s an incredibly jarring detail to process. What’s even more shocking is that here we are—living in a technologically advanced society in the year 2026—and this man still doesn't have his name back. Let's dive into the details of who he was, where he was found, and what it's going to take to finally solve this mystery.

Tuesday, August 30, 1988

It’s late summer in Woodbury County. The oppressive August heat is hanging low over the fields just outside of Correctionville, a quiet town tucked into western Iowa. Half a mile east of town, alongside a dusty gravel road, a routine day is interrupted by a grim discovery. In a roadside ditch, hidden by overgrown weeds and ditches, lie the skeletal remains of a human being.

When investigators arrive, they quickly realize they aren't dealing with a recent tragedy. The elements have done their work. What is left is a near-complete skeleton, offering few immediate answers.

Forensic analysis would later paint a vague picture of who this man was. He was a white male, standing around 5 feet, 6 inches tall. His age was estimated to be anywhere between 30 and 60 years old. But the most striking detail from the autopsy wasn’t his physical stature; it was the timeline. Investigators estimated that this man had been lying in that ditch for over fifteen years. He likely died sometime between 1971 and 1973.

For over a decade, traffic had passed by on that Correctionville Road, drivers entirely unaware of the secret the ditch held.

Because his remains were entirely skeletal, no hair color, eye color, or distinguishing facial features could be determined. However, the items found with him provide a fascinating, yet heartbreaking, glimpse into his final days. He appeared to have been traveling with his life packed into a few small items, dressed for a changing season.

The Clothing and Belongings: When he was found, he was wearing a heavy layers on his upper body:

A short-sleeved plain-colored shirt with a button-down collar.

A second short-sleeved shirt, either white or pale yellow.

Layered over those was a red, white, and black plaid long-sleeved button-down shirt. Crucially, the neckband of this shirt had the characters "SL51" stenciled clearly in the center.

He wore a double-insulated baseball cap on his head, and despite it being summer when he was found, he was wearing three pairs of brown nylon socks inside the remains of a pair of shoes. The soles of the shoes bore the molded characters "7' DE" and "675".

Beside him lay a few personal accessories. A black plastic wallet with an imprinted design, featuring a plastic and metal clasp coin purse inside. He had a tobacco can, perhaps a companion for long walks or lonely nights.

Most telling of all was a single gym bag. Inside, investigators found his shaving kit: two razors, a styptic pencil (used to stop bleeding from shaving nicks), and a shaving brush.

This man wasn't just wandering; he was maintaining his appearance. He was someone's son, perhaps someone's brother or father, moving through Iowa in the early 1970s with a stenciled shirt and a gym bag, only to meet an unknown end in a roadside ditch.

In addition to the question of his identity, other questions also come to mind when reading this case. Was "SL51" a laundry mark from an institution, a military unit, or a specific workplace? Did he hitchhike into Woodbury County, or was he walking the train tracks? There is a prison within an hour's drive of Correctionville, is there a possible connection to this man? 

Decades have passed since he was found in 1988, and even longer since he drew his last breath in the early 1970s. He remains unidentified.

Source material: iowacoldcases.org and NAMUS

If you have any information regarding the identity of this individual, please contact the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner at (515) 725-1400 or the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation (Case #88-119 / NamUs #UP2619).