An unidentified hospital patient who collapsed in Amsterdam three years ago could be Canadian, Dutch police investigators have revealed.
The mystery man was rushed to a local hospital after collapsing in the street on May 10, 2023, following a suspected stroke or brain hemorrhage. Doctors say he has been left unable to communicate his identity or explain where he came from.
Medical staff explained that the man suffers from aphasia, a neurological condition that impairs speech as well as the ability to process spoken and written language. Aphasia is the same language disorder affecting American actor Bruce Willis. When he arrived at the hospital, the patient carried no bank cards, identification documents, or personal items that could help medical staff identify him.
Although the incident is not being treated as a criminal matter, detectives launched an investigation to uncover who the man is. The case was assigned to Ruud and Nel, two retired police officers working as volunteers with a cold case team in the Netherlands, according to Canadian news network CTV.
The two retired officers began delving into the man's social history across the Dutch capital. They discovered that he was previously a member of a Buddhist community on Middenweg, a major thoroughfare located in eastern Amsterdam. Members of the community told officers that they knew the man by the name Lucky, though they possessed no information regarding his legal name or background.
Names and street life in Amsterdam
Investigators found that the patient also frequented a public square in Amsterdam, where he regularly bought items from local shops and market stalls. Market traders and locals knew him by several different names, including Lucky, Louis, Lee, John, Ponytail, and Sonny.
Police received conflicting accounts about the man's financial situation and lifestyle. Some individuals claimed he was extremely wealthy, while others reported seeing him wandering the streets of Amsterdam.
A potential breakthrough in the investigation came when officers traced his visits to Soupenzo, a cafe located on Waterlooplein in central Amsterdam. Employees at the venue recognized him and referred to him as Chris the Canadian.
A cafe worker told DutchNews that the man was a frequent visitor who often appeared shabby and seemed mentally unwell. He consistently carried a suitcase with him and ordered very specific variations of soup, which staff accommodated. Workers noted that despite his unkempt appearance, he always had money to pay for his food.
Language clues and forensic roadblocks
Witnesses told investigators that the man spoke English with an accent they believed to be Canadian or American. Detectives noted that while he can use English words to confirm or deny simple questions, he is unable to communicate beyond basic responses.
Efforts to establish his identity using forensic technology have stalled. A spokesperson for the department told DutchNews that attempts to run matches through DNA databases and facial recognition systems hit a dead end because strict privacy regulations prevent police from accessing larger international data sources where a match might exist.
Investigators now believe the man spent time in North America and Nepal prior to his arrival in the Netherlands. However, authorities have been unable to determine how long he had been living in Amsterdam before his collapse.
Current care and appeal for information
The man is currently residing at a care facility, where police say he spends his days lying in bed. Medical experts involved in his care state that he lacks the mental capacity to make decisions for himself.
Members of the cold case team expressed concern that his family may be searching for him without knowing his location. Retired officer Nel said in a news release: "I simply cannot believe that nobody knows who this man really is."
Retired cop Ruud added: "Every person has the right to an identity, and that includes this man." Amsterdam police are urging anyone with information about the man's identity or background to contact authorities.
