Sheriff asks for help identifying charred John Doe

Described by the Los Angeles County coroner's officials as John Doe No. 51, he was discovered ablaze on March 31 on the side of a street just south of Compton High, near the school's football stadium.

Nearly three weeks later, authorities have been unable to identify the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and are now seeking the public's help.

The victim is believed to have been between 30 and 50 years old, 5 foot 5 inches to 5 foot 7 inches in height and either white or Latino, said Sgt. Michael Rodriguez of the Sheriff's Department.

"With 90% of our victims, we have a name," Rodriguez said. "Not knowing who this person is, on top of the condition of the body, has made the case especially difficult. Hopefully the sketch will help."

It was initially reported that the victim may have been an adult African American male, although officials noted that the damage to the body was so extensive even gender could not immediately be confirmed.

Rodriguez said they have not been able to determine whether the man was alive when he was set on fire and are waiting on additional tests from the coroner's office to determine a cause of death.

The coroner's office identified the decedent as a male on April 5.

Anyone with information about the identity of the man or any assailants who may have contributed to his death is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

-- Sarah Ardalani

Above: Artist sketch of burned victim. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

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