NCMEC, Adobe Conduct Facial Reconstruction at Comic-Con to Identify 2004 San Diego Child

At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, a live facial reconstruction is underway to help identify a boy known as “John San Diego Doe 2004,” whose skeletal remains were found over 20 years ago near Interstate 15 in Rancho Bernardo. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Adobe have partnered for this effort, using 3D printing, clay, and digital tools to recreate the child's face from a scan of his skull. Investigators estimate the boy was between 7 and 10 years old and had been deceased for at least a year when his body was discovered inside a duffle bag in 2004. The live demonstration at the Adobe booth aims to raise public awareness and prompt anyone with information to come forward. Gavin Portnoy, NCMEC’s vice president of communications, emphasized that the child deserves to be known and justice served, encouraging attendees to witness the reconstruction and learn how technology aids in solving cold cases. Anyone with relevant information can contact NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST.