Investigators still don’t know the identity of the man found washed ashore on Wednesday on the beach in Beverly Shores.

Nor do they know how the man died.

A forensic autopsy conducted Thursday in Indianapolis failed to determine the cause of death, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris told the Chesterton Tribune.

The results of a toxicology screen are pending.

Harris was able to say, however, that the body is that of a black male and Harris is hopeful of establishing his identity, after a surgical metal rod was found implanted in his right femur. “We are trying to identify the man with serial numbers from the implant,” he said.

Harris was also hopeful of obtaining prints from the man’s thumbs, which remained in relatively good condition. Any usable prints would be forwarded to the Indiana State Police.

The body had been in the waters of Lake Michigan for some time before being washed ashore in the 600 block of Lakeshore Drive, possibly a month, Harris said, possibly several months.

Harris described the John Doe as being 5’ 9’’ in height with black hair. The body was dressed in bib overalls, a black tee-shirt, and a black do-rag and was wearing a single hiking boot and a black wristwatch. In his pockets investigators found a Swiss Army knife, an all-in-one tool, and 35 cents in change.

The body was found around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday by a Florida woman taking photographs.

Posted 4/14/2012