Two men in their 50s face allegations of assuming the identities of deceased children for over 30 years, and now authorities in Washington state are seeking public assistance to solve the enigma of their true identities.
Operating under the names Tim Seidenfeld and Glenn Scotzin since approximately 1990, these identities have been traced back to two Idaho children who lost their lives in separate incidents in the early 1970s, according to a statement from the Pasco Police Department on Tuesday.
This case, described by investigators as a long-standing identity conundrum spanning several states, is not about locating the men, as the police are already aware of their whereabouts. Instead, it focuses on uncovering details about their past lives.
“We’re not trying to track them down. We know exactly where they are,” stated Pasco Police Lt. Tom Groom to the Tri-City Herald. “Our aim is to gather information on how they’ve managed their lives using these borrowed identities.”
Initially surfacing in Salem, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, in 1990, shortly after adopting their new names, the men have since left a scant trail nationwide, with connections spanning Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Texas, and California.
The men appear to have surfaced in Salem, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, in 1990, shortly after assuming the identities. From there, they left a faint trail across the country, with ties to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Texas and California.
The men have been using the names Tim Seidenfeld and Glenn Scotzin since around 1990, according to Pasco police. (Pasco Police Department)
Police believe both men may have worked in the telecommunications industry in the early 1990s, but say no official employment records exist, deepening the mystery.
“Due to the length of time these individuals have operated under stolen identities, traditional identification methods have proven to be challenging,” police said.
Authorities have not said whether the men are suspected of other crimes, but the unusual case has raised questions about how they were able to disappear into someone else’s life for more than 30 years.
Authorities asked anyone with information about the two men, no matter how old, to contact Pasco police. (Pasco Police Deparment)
Detectives are turning to the public, hoping someone recognizes the men or can provide clues about their true identities.
Authorities asked anyone with information to contact Pasco Police.
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