KEY WEST, Fla. – Officials need the public’s help identifying a man who died in the Florida Straits after escaping Cuba on a homemade vessel.
On August 5, 2022, a boat overturned with more than a dozen people on board. Twelve people were lost at sea; only two survived.
The bodies of two who perished were taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office, but the identity of one of the deceased remains a mystery.
“Cases like this are very complicated,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Adam Hoffner with the U.S. Border Patrol.
Work to identify the remains is a joint effort of federal agencies, along with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the medical examiner, and Coast Guard Investigative Services. It’s part of the Border Patrol’s Missing Migrant Program.
But with no leads, agents turn to forensic art.
“We found one artist I was able to locate in the state of Florida,” Hoffner said, “I just happened to reach out in email and explain that this is a humanitarian project.”
That artist is Fernando Gajate, an officer with the Sea Ranch Lakes Police Department and retired captain with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, who has used his drawing skills to solve many cases.
Gajate looked at autopsy photos and pored over the medical examiner’s report to do a post-mortem sketch.
In other words: to sketch the man to life.
“The body was well-preserved. They had taken some images,” Gajate said. “I don’t want to take any artistic liberties.”
The man is believed to be about 5-foot-6 and has unique earlobes.
Authorities believe he and the others left Cuba around July 28, 2022.
For Gajate, the work is personal.
“Coming from Cuba myself, I understand the plight of the migrants, and the desperation they have,” he said.
Anyone with information can call 954-541-4744.
People can also email mip-mmp@cbp.dhs.gov
Or reach Janine Stanwood on Twitter or Instagram @janinewplg