DAYTON, OH — A Dayton man sorting through a filing cabinet he described as “mostly a threat” discovered this week that he has been paying $38.40 per month in life insurance premiums since November 2003 on behalf of an individual identified only as D. Hartwell, a person no living member of his household can place.

Greg Tipton, 51, said he initially assumed the policy was for himself, then for his wife, then for a vehicle, before a closer reading of the declaration page confirmed the insured party is a separate human being whose full name, relationship to Greg, and current vital status remain entirely unknown.

“I've called the insurance company twice,” said Tipton, who has paid $11,059.20 into the policy over 23 years. “They confirm the policy is active. They confirm D. Hartwell is the insured. Beyond that, they're very pleasant about not helping me.”

“The account is in good standing. That's the part that really gets me.”

Tipton's wife, Renee, 49, suggested the policy may have been set up by Greg's late father, who was, in her words, “very into paperwork but not into explaining it.” A search of family records has so far surfaced three additional envelopes Greg is afraid to open.

Roger Ashby, 63, a certified financial planner in the Dayton area, reviewed the policy and said it was “structurally sound,” adding that whoever D. Hartwell is, they are “very well covered for a term that expires in 2031.”

At press time, Tipton had located a Christmas card signed “Warmly, Doug” postmarked 1999 and was staring at it in the kitchen without moving.