as has robert martindale. more than 50 years between them. but nothing like the case that literally floated to them on a lonely reach of ocean out by catalina. would never have had the case at all, except -- >> we were lucky that we had some boaters leaving newport beach going to catalina island and they came upon a body floating in the water. >> just happened to see it? >> just happened to see it. >> that's a big ocean out there. >> absolutely. >> so the chances of it being seen are, what, needle in the haystack? >> very slim. >> reporter: the sailors had spotted a flock of shrieking seagulls perched on top of a body. it looked like it had been in the water for some time. >> it was in extreme decomposition phase. >> right. >> bloated and -- >> barnacles had attached themselves. >> barnacles already? >> absolutely. >> yes. >> reporter: there was no i.d. on the body. it was labeled a 'john doe' and taken to the l.a. coroner's office. >> well, initially it was believed to be a drowning victim. >> reporter: but who was he? identifying their john