Sheriff again seeking help identifying remains

The DuPage County sheriff's office is again asking the public for help identifying a human skull found nearly six years ago at a Wheaton-area forest preserve.

Authorities on Wednesday released what they believe is the name of the man whose remains were found and are asking anyone who may have known Manuel Romero to come forward. Sheriff John Zaruba declined to discuss the case further or share how investigators arrived at the possible name.

The sheriff's department also rereleased an image of what the man may have looked like, according to digital facial-reconstruction software. He was described as Hispanic or Native American and 45 to 65 years old. Authorities said he was missing numerous teeth, including the two front upper teeth, before his death.

A man gathering mushrooms found the partial skeletal remains near some clothing about 8:45 a.m. April 13, 2010, in the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve off Butterfield Road near Wheaton. Police identified the clothing as an extra-large, Hanes gray sweatshirt with a “Little Nicky” logo on the front, a black Faded Glory polo shirt, black sweatpants, and a pair of white athletic shoes with no laces.

The remains were described as severely decomposed and absent tissue. Authorities estimated the man died between 2007 and 2009. The cause of death remains undetermined and under investigation.

To report information, call the sheriff's criminal investigations division at (630) 407-2400. Additional information is available online at namus.gov by clicking on “Unidentified Persons” and searching for case number M10-125.