Fresh appeal to identify man's body found in River Colne 11 years ago

Police have reissued an image of what the man may have looked like

Author: Rosanna Robins Published 17th Oct 2023

Police working to identify a man whose body was found in Kirklees more than a decade ago have issued a new appeal for information.

The body was recovered from the River Colne off Leeds Road in Huddersfield on September 13, 2012.

Officers have also re-issued an E-fit which shows how the man may have looked before he fell into the water.

The force says a 'substantial number' of enquiries have been conducted both locally and internationally, and officers remain determined to solve the mystery of the man's identity.

Due to a charity bracelet on the man’s wrist, officers believe he was from Lithuania and conducted a number of enquiries with partners to try and identify him there, and also in the UK.

The man is described as white, European and possibly aged between 20 and 40 and had no teeth.

He was 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and with short cropped light brown hair and a ginger moustache and close cropped beard.

A post mortem which was conducted following the recovery of the man’s body failed to find a cause of death.

DS David Mathers of Kirklees CID, said: “Detectives have carried a huge range of enquiries since this man was sadly found deceased in September 2012 and we clearly still want to identify him and locate any relatives he may still have.

“Those enquiries have included joint work both at home and in Europe with the National Crime Agency to see if this man matches any unaccounted for missing people.

“Sadly those enquiries have been unsuccessful, and we are now reaching the end of investigations we can carry out to identify this male.

He added: “We are re-issuing an Efit of how we think he would have looked in 2012 and would ask anyone who can assist to contact us.

“If you knew a man fitting this description in the Huddersfield area or even further afield who suddenly disappeared then please contact Kirklees CID.

“Information can be given to myself referencing police number 13120394616.

“It can be given via 101, online at www.westyokrshire.police,uk/101livechat or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”

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