Amsterdam’s mysterious ‘Lucky’ remains unidentified after Canadian theory ruled out

Police forensic testing has confirmed that “Lucky,” who has lived in a care home in Amsterdam Zuidoost for the past three years, is not 67-year-old Canadian John Russell Kenny, who has been reported missing.

Police have been searching for “Lucky’s” identity for more than three years. He suffered a stroke while on the streets of Amsterdam on May 10, 2023, and has been unable to communicate since. After releasing photos of him on Monday, police received more than 500 tips from people who hoped to help establish who he is.

Amsterdam police said they are pleased with the response, but are urging people to be cautious about sharing their own findings on social media. “Identifying Lucky based solely on photos is actually not possible, as this case clearly demonstrates. Spreading conclusions too quickly can have a major impact on anyone involved, and the police want to prevent that.”

Kenny went missing in Vancouver in 1993 and is believed to have been living on the streets or moving from place to place ever since. The initial theory that Lucky was John Russell Kenny was started early in the week by an amateur investigator from Tiel. Using basic online searches and AI, the sleuth put pictures of the two men side-by-side. The comparison went viral and was quickly picked up by major international news outlets.

Amsterdam police noted immediate skepticism because Lucky and the missing Canadian have a 10-centimeter height difference. Two independent forensic specialists collaborated across the Atlantic with Canadian police to carefully cross-examine physical features, ultimately ruling out a match, Het Parool reported.

The stroke Lucky suffered on May 10, 2023, left him with aphasia, a language disorder that severely impairs a person's ability to speak, read, or write. Lucky is entirely unable to express his name or origin. Caregivers note he relies exclusively on just two English words to signal yes or no: "nonsense" and "definitely.”

According to Amsterdam police spokesperson Marijke Stor, Lucky left behind zero digital footprint; he had no passport, no ID, and no bank accounts. Before his stroke, he lived a remarkably private life. He paid his rent and all daily expenses strictly in cash.

He was a frequent, well-known face around Amsterdam's Waterlooplein market and the restaurant Soep en Zo. Market vendors and acquaintances noted that despite appearing transient, he often acted like he was "filthy rich," casually buying whatever he wanted. Lucky used a variety of aliases on the street, including Louis, Lee, John, Ponytail, Sonny, and "Chris the Canadian.”

Because this is a missing person scenario and not a criminal case, police have limited legal powers to perform widespread DNA testing without a direct relative coming forward.

However, the case is being spearheaded by two retired volunteer detectives. Out of the 500+ tips, they have narrowed down nine names of priority interest that they are actively investigating, including an Irish national missing since 2004.