Ode to Doe: John Rollins Jr. Identified as "Benton County John Doe"

After decades, the unidentified man known as the Benton County John Doe has been identified. His name is John Douglas Pollins Jr. and he was 31 years old when he died.

A photograph of John Rollins Jr Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office

In 2021, Lt. Petray of the Benton County Sheriff's Department began working with a private lab in Texas to analyze DNA collected from the decedent's remains. They were first able to identify one potential relative. However, this person was unaware of anyone in their family who had gone missing.

On September 17, 2022, Othram was able to use genetic genealogy to identify another relative. Investigation into this potential relative uncovered an obituary for his son John Jr. Searching the social security death index, though, yielded no record of John Jr.'s death. Subsequent interviews with the father revealed that he had not seen his son since the mid-90s, but had never reported him missing. To confirm their suspicions, DNA from the man was compared with that of the victim. The result confirmed the identity of John Doe to be 31-year-old John Douglas Rollins Jr.

It remains unclear why no reports were ever filed in regard to John's whereabouts or well-being. Through further investigation and interviews with relatives, Lt. Petray was able to gather that John had last been seen by his family in 1995. Likely, not long before his presumed murder the same year. It also still remains unknown exactly what happened to John 27 years ago. His case is still ongoing and his killer has yet to be identified.

If you have any details regarding the case please contact the Benton County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 479-271-1009 or e-mail hunter.petray@bentoncountyar.gov to contact Lt. Petry directly.

(Read on to learn the circumstances of discovery)

An artist's depiction of Benton County John Doe Credit: The Doe Network

A fisherman found the body of a man floating along the shore of Beaver Lake in Rogers, Arkansas on October 16, 1996. The body of the man was wrapped in a Dupont sleeping bag, and floating in shallow water. Police believe that the body may have been originally weighted down, but broke free and washed to shore. The remote area is overlooked by steep cliffs and dense woods, making it a difficult place to get to, meaning the body most likely was dumped originally in another location or brought to the scene by boat.

The body found was that of a middle-aged white male in the range of thirty and sixty years old. He would have stood between five feet nine inches to five feet eleven inches tall. He was likely a heavy labourer in life, his right arm showing signs of an injury called myositis ossificians. Myositis ossificians usually occurs during hard work or play due to a traumatic injury. The trauma then leads to the growth of bone within muscle tissues. As well, his teeth were found to be stained, liking being a coffee drinker, or a smoker. A left bottom tooth had been removed prior to his death, and he'd gotten a filling on his lower right tooth. Also notable was the significant amount of wear to his front bottom teeth. Along with the sleeping bag he'd been discovered in, two deteriorated pillows belonging to a medical facility and the remnants of white boxer shorts and a single white sock were the only clothing to be found. The briefs were Fruit of the Loom brand, size small.

He is believed to have died from blunt force trauma to the left side of his forehead. Unfortunately for investigators, it is believed that the John Doe may have died as early as 1995. One year before his discovery along the rocky shore of Beaver Lake. His body was badly decomposed and the water had long washed away any evidence.

This hard-working man likely has a family, still desperately wondering where he could be. They deserve closure. If you have any details regarding the case or think you may know the identity of this John Doe, contact the Benton County Sheriff's Department.

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