Next-of-kin sought for three men who died in the 1980s

For decades, the identities of the men were unknown. But in March, officials identified the three by their fingerprints.

The Santa Clara County Medical ExaminerCoroner is asking for the public’s help in finding the families of three men who were found dead in separate cases during the 1980s — but who were only recently identified.

The three men were identified as Alfred Sherman Anderson, 57, Johnny Puentes, 37 and Scotty Edward Echols, 32. For decades, the identities of the men were unknown. But in March, officials identified the three after processing each of their fingerprints through “expanded databases,” county officials said.

The men were buried in Fremont at a location used for “indigent” burials paid for by Santa Clara County, according to the medical examinercoroner.

Coroner officials said Monday that investigators reviewed case material and searched “all available databases” but were unable to find families of the men.

“We are required by law to inform legal next of kin/families when positive identification has been made,” coroner officials said. “This communication also brings closure to the families. Some families wonder what happened to their missing loved one and how they died.”

Anderson was found dead on Nov. 16, 1987, under an ATM machine at an American Savings formerly located at 66 W. Santa Clara St. in San Jose, officials said. The medical examiner-coroner said Anderson’s cause of death was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His manner of death was determined to be natural, officials said.

At the time of his death, Anderson was described as Caucasian with graybrown hair and gray eyes. He was wearing a red windbreaker that read “Half Moon Bay Parks and Rec,” a checkered gray-green sport shirt and gray pants with a light brown belt, in addition to other clothing, according to officials.

Puentes was found dead on Sept. 20, 1989, on the bank of Coyote Creek near Story Road in San Jose, officials said. Puentes weighed 140 pounds and stood at 5 feet, 6 inches tall. Puentes’s death was caused by narcotic and alcoholic intoxication, county officials said. The coroner also said Puentes suffered from a “fatty change of the liver” and that his death was a probable accident.

Puentes, who had black hair, was described as “possibly” Hispanic, officials said.

When he was found, Puentes was wearing blue jeans and yellow high top tennis shoes, officials said. A red tote bag marked “Marlboro,” a blue UCLA polo shirt, a blue net type T-shirt and a tan or gray polo shirt were all found near where Puentes died.

The third man, Echols, was found dead on July 4, 1983, on railroad tracks across from 8797 Monterey Road in Gilroy, officials said. Echols weighed 210 pounds and stood at 5 feet, 7 inches tall. Echols died from “multiple traumatic injuries,” according to coroner officials, who did not specify further. His death was ruled an accident.

Echols was described as a Caucasian male with brown hair and brown eyes, officials said. Echols had a tattoo of a devil on his upper right shoulder. At the time of his death, he was wearing a checkered gray coat, khaki colored pants and loafers with gray socks. Officials also said Echols was likely homeless.

The examiner-coroner is asking anyone with information regarding any of these victims to call its investigations unit at 408793-1900, ext. 3.