Amsterdam police are seeking international assistance to identify a man who collapsed in the city on May 10, 2023, and is now unable to communicate his identity due to aphasia, a condition that affects speech and language comprehension following a suspected stroke or brain hemorrhage. The man, who had no identification on him, was admitted to a local hospital and has since been placed in a care facility.
Two retired police officers working with a cold case team have taken on the non-criminal investigation. Their inquiries have revealed conflicting accounts of the man's identity and background. He was known within a Buddhist community in Amsterdam as 'Lucky,' and at a public square, he was called by various names including Louis, Lee, John, Ponytail, and Sonny. Some accounts suggested he was wealthy, while others described him as wandering the streets.
A potential breakthrough came when cafe workers at Soupenzo identified the man as 'Chris the Canadian.' Employees noted that he frequented the cafe, often appearing shabby but always possessing money. He reportedly spoke English with an accent believed to be Canadian or American. Investigators have also been told he may have spent time in North America and Nepal.
Despite efforts to identify him using DNA databases and facial recognition, privacy regulations have hindered access to larger data sources. The man is currently in a care facility, where medical experts state he lacks the capacity to make decisions for himself. Investigators are appealing to the international community for any information that could help ascertain his identity, emphasizing that every person has a right to an identity. They expressed concern that his family might be worried and unaware of his whereabouts.