Nearly 40 years after a man’s body was found behind the former Howard Johnson Motor Lodge, investigators are taking a rare step to try to learn his name.

On Monday, Sep. 15, St. Joseph County Police, the Coroner’s Office, and other agencies will exhume the remains of the man known as the “Howard Johnson John Doe” at Tutt Cemetery.

The case dates back to June of 1985, when a family discovered the man’s decomposed body behind the motel. Investigators say he was a white male, 20-30 years old, 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-1, 150-175 pounds, with long brown hair and a mustache.

 He was found wearing jeans, a rock band T-shirt, white tennis shoes, and a green U.S. Army jacket with the name “Hosea.” (jose-uh)

Police ruled his death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound and believe he was killed elsewhere.

Sheriff Bill Redman says advances in DNA testing and forensic genealogy could finally identify the victim and help solve the decades-old case.