Topline: New images depict a boy whose skeletal remains were found south of Giddings.
Published: March 19, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Facial approximation and clothes worn by victim in 1975 cold case (via National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
AUSTIN, TX — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is using modern forensic technology to identify a young boy whose body was discovered in a wooded area nearly 50 years ago.
Investigators announced March 16 that they reopened a 1975 cold case as an effort to review older investigations with current resources. As reported by KXAN, the department released a facial approximation created by a forensic artist to show what the child may have looked like in life.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCEMC) provided the digital rendering to local authorities. According to NewsNation, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office hopes the image will prompt a member of the public to recognize the victim and provide a name.
Sheriff Garrett Durrenberger said in a statement that the child has remained unidentified for nearly five decades. He said the goal of the investigation is to restore the child’s identity and provide answers to surviving family members.
The boy’s remains were found Sept. 7, 1975, along U.S. Highway 77 near a roadside park. The location was approximately five miles south of Giddings.
The child was between 3 and 5 years old at the time of his death, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators believe he died roughly two months before the discovery of his remains.
The remains were wrapped in a floral-patterned bed sheet and placed inside two dark green trash bags. The bags were secured with bailing wire.
The victim had straight dark brown hair. He was wearing a shirt and pants from the Buster Brown brand.
The facial reconstruction resulted from a partnership between the sheriff’s office and the NCEMC. Forensic artists use skeletal measurements and demographic data to estimate facial features.
Durrenberger asked the public to review the images of the child and the clothing. He requested that anyone with information contact his office.
The sheriff’s office stated it remains committed to finding justice in the case despite the passage of time.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 979-542-2800. Tips can also be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Cold Case Breakthrough: Texas Investigators Reveal Face of Boy Found Dead in 1975
New images depict a boy whose skeletal remains were found south of Giddings.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 19, 2026 6:00 am ET
Facial approximation and clothes worn by victim in 1975 cold case (via National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
AUSTIN, TX — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is using modern forensic technology to identify a young boy whose body was discovered in a wooded area nearly 50 years ago.
Investigators announced March 16 that they reopened a 1975 cold case as an effort to review older investigations with current resources. As reported by KXAN, the department released a facial approximation created by a forensic artist to show what the child may have looked like in life.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCEMC) provided the digital rendering to local authorities. According to NewsNation, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office hopes the image will prompt a member of the public to recognize the victim and provide a name.
Sheriff Garrett Durrenberger said in a statement that the child has remained unidentified for nearly five decades. He said the goal of the investigation is to restore the child’s identity and provide answers to surviving family members.
The boy’s remains were found Sept. 7, 1975, along U.S. Highway 77 near a roadside park. The location was approximately five miles south of Giddings.
The child was between 3 and 5 years old at the time of his death, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators believe he died roughly two months before the discovery of his remains.
The remains were wrapped in a floral-patterned bed sheet and placed inside two dark green trash bags. The bags were secured with bailing wire.
The victim had straight dark brown hair. He was wearing a shirt and pants from the Buster Brown brand.
The facial reconstruction resulted from a partnership between the sheriff’s office and the NCEMC. Forensic artists use skeletal measurements and demographic data to estimate facial features.
Durrenberger asked the public to review the images of the child and the clothing. He requested that anyone with information contact his office.
The sheriff’s office stated it remains committed to finding justice in the case despite the passage of time.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 979-542-2800. Tips can also be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Cold Case Breakthrough: Texas Investigators Reveal Face of Boy Found Dead in 1975
New images depict a boy whose skeletal remains were found south of Giddings.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 19, 2026 6:00 am ET
Facial approximation and clothes worn by victim in 1975 cold case (via National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
AUSTIN, TX — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is using modern forensic technology to identify a young boy whose body was discovered in a wooded area nearly 50 years ago.
Investigators announced March 16 that they reopened a 1975 cold case as an effort to review older investigations with current resources. As reported by KXAN, the department released a facial approximation created by a forensic artist to show what the child may have looked like in life.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCEMC) provided the digital rendering to local authorities. According to NewsNation, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office hopes the image will prompt a member of the public to recognize the victim and provide a name.
Sheriff Garrett Durrenberger said in a statement that the child has remained unidentified for nearly five decades. He said the goal of the investigation is to restore the child’s identity and provide answers to surviving family members.
The boy’s remains were found Sept. 7, 1975, along U.S. Highway 77 near a roadside park. The location was approximately five miles south of Giddings.
The child was between 3 and 5 years old at the time of his death, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators believe he died roughly two months before the discovery of his remains.
The remains were wrapped in a floral-patterned bed sheet and placed inside two dark green trash bags. The bags were secured with bailing wire.
The victim had straight dark brown hair. He was wearing a shirt and pants from the Buster Brown brand.
The facial reconstruction resulted from a partnership between the sheriff’s office and the NCEMC. Forensic artists use skeletal measurements and demographic data to estimate facial features.
Durrenberger asked the public to review the images of the child and the clothing. He requested that anyone with information contact his office.
The sheriff’s office stated it remains committed to finding justice in the case despite the passage of time.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 979-542-2800. Tips can also be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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