Police investigating the death of an unidentified man found in woodlands in the 1980s say they have a 'promising new lead' after a fresh appeal.
Staffordshire Police and charity Locate International have been working together to solve the mystery of the man, whose body was discovered in Coronation Wood in Swinfen, near Lichfield, on April 5, 1987. Two men out shooting found him, and it is believed he had died a week earlier. He was thought to be in his mid-50s.
Fresh appeal yields new information
Despite extensive enquiries, the man's identity has remained unknown for almost 40 years. The force described him as 5ft 8ins, with a slender or muscular build, short dark mousey hair greying at the sides and back, and a greying moustache. He had only two lower teeth. Items found on him included two Ladbrokes pens, suggesting he visited betting shops.
Volunteer investigators with Locate International confirmed they were working with Staffordshire Police. A fresh appeal for information on the 'Coronation Wood man' was issued last month, prompting several members of the public to come forward. One suggested the man resembled someone who attended the swimming pool at Friary School in Lichfield on weekends in the mid-1980s. The pool is now closed.
The man is said to have spoken 'good English with a strong Eastern European accent, possibly from Russia' and was described as a 'friendly loner' who had interesting stories to tell.
Key fob may be clue
Investigators are now looking into whether a key found in the man's possession, with a metal fob stamped with the number 6, might have been used at the swimming pool lockers. They are asking the public for help with several new questions: Did you use or work at Friary School swimming pool in the early to mid-1980s? Do you recall an Eastern European or Russian man matching the description? Do you have any photos from the pool at the time? Could the key fob have come from the swimming pool?
Other items on the man included two keys on a metal pear-shaped fob with the number 6, handkerchiefs, a blue comb, a disposable lighter, and two copper coins.
Appeal for information
Mark Greenhalgh, Locate International’s CEO, said: 'We take all possible leads seriously, but this one appears especially promising. Someone of this description would have stood out, so we’re confident other people will remember him from the Lichfield area at the time.'
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Booker of Staffordshire Police added: 'We are determined to identify this man and establish who he was after nearly 40 years. We urge anyone who recognises his description, clothing or personal belongings to come forward. No piece of information is too small and could help us finally provide answers about his identity.'
Anyone with information is urged to email appeals@locate.international, call 0300 102 1011, or contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting crime reference 147 of 12/05/2026.
