On March 24, 1997, Sanford Police (Florida) responded to the wooded area near the intersection of Fulton St., and Mangoustine Ave., regarding a report of possible human remains. Responding officers located and confirmed the presence of human skeletal remains. No identification or identifying information was located at the scene. The remains were determined to be a white or Hispanic male in his 30’s or 40’s. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was homicide due to sharp force injuries to the head.
In 2023, investigators sent a tooth from John Doe to the Pinellas County Medical Examiner to extract a DNA profile. A DNA profile was successfully obtained and entered into CODIS; however, no matches were located.
In 2025, the case was approved for financial assistance from the FY 24-25 FIGG (Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy) Grant Program, with the assistance of the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office. Bone specimens were then sent to Othram, who successfully extracted a SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) Profile. The SNP profile of John Doe was then sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct FIGG testing.
In July 2026, the FDLE notified Sanford Investigators that they had a possible profile match to a close family member of the unidentified victim. A positive identification was made using a DNA sample obtained from the close family relative.
On Aug. 31, 2026, John Doe was positively identified as John Richard Moulis of Orlando, Florida. Moulis was reported missing out of the Orlando area on Jan. 21, 1997, and a missing person’s report was completed by Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Moulis was born in Wisconsin and moved to the Orlando area in 1986/1987. He lived in an apartment in Orlando and worked in janitorial services at Splendid China in Kissimmee.
Moulis’s vehicle, a burgundy and brown 1986 Dodge Aries station wagon, was abandoned then towed from the Greyhound Bus Station in Orlando, Florida.
Investigators are asking anyone who knew Moulis or has information about his disappearance and/or homicide to contact the Sanford Police Department.
“For almost 30 years, John’s family has agonized over not knowing what happened to him, not knowing if he would one day come home. Though this information doesn’t bring John home, it does give the family the information they desperately wanted for 29 years,” said Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith. “Investigators will now focus on discovering what happened to John, and who brutally cut his life short. I am proud of my investigators for not giving up, and know that for them, they will continue working to bring justice to John and his family.”
Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about this incident to please contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimeline.org. Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous.
Data from Sanford Police