It's been more than 30 years, but Jefferson County homicide detectives finally hope to put a name to John Doe's face.

Investigators today released facial reconstruction renderings of a body discovered by hikers on Feb. 13, 1977, about 100 feet over an embankment off U.S. 285 about a mile south of Colorado 8.

Jeffco investigators discussed the murder mystery — and a similarly baffling foothills homicide that surfaced early last week — at a news conference this morning in Golden.

The body in the 1977 case was found in a military-type, mummy-style sleeping bag. An autopsy indicated the body had been at the scene for one to two months before it was discovered.

Investigators described the man as possibly American Indian, 20 to 24 years old, 5-7 to 5-8 in height, and weighing 125 to 145 pounds.

The man had dark brown or black hair about five inches in length and had size 5 feet.

Investigators said the man had suffered blows to the head.

Early in the investigation, detectives learned that in mid-December 1976 a man had entered the Twin Forks Motel in nearby Tiny Town to use the phone to find a ride to Littleton, a sheriff's press release said.

The man had several facial cuts, which were bleeding. He said he had been in a fight with his brother and forced out of their car.

The man used the phone, but investigators learned he had not reached anyone. He borrowed a coat for a short time, left the hotel, and later returned with his brother to give back the coat.

The injured man was never identified, and it was never clear whether the incident was related to the subsequent discovery of the body nearby.

Detectives in the cold case are asking anyone with information to contact Investigator Cheryl Moore at 303-271-5625, or cmoore@jeffco.us.