Dyfed-Powys Police have issued a renewed appeal for information to identify a man whose body was discovered in a Powys reservoir two years ago. Despite extensive enquiries, the man's identity remains unknown.
Discovery and Initial Enquiries
The man's body was found by a dog walker on October 17, 2024, at Claerwen Reservoir. He was wearing a black extra large Zone 3 Agile wetsuit, and it was estimated he had been in the water for up to 12 weeks. An investigation led by Powys CID has carried out all reasonable and proportionate lines of enquiry, but the man's identity remains a mystery.
Detective Inspector Anthea Ponting, who has led the investigation, said: "This is a highly unusual situation in that two years have passed and we are still no closer to knowing who this person is."
Extensive Searches Conducted
Police have contacted all UK police forces to check for missing or wanted people, run searches through the Police National Database, and issued bulletins to overseas police through Interpol. They have also searched DNA, fingerprint and dental records for potential matches, and worked with Face Lab at Liverpool John Moore University to create a digitised facial image.
DI Ponting added: "We have reached out to the public for information several times, and each time we’ve reviewed the information given to us, followed up contacts where further information is required to review, we have done this in the hope of being able to return him to his family or loved ones. Unfortunately, none have proven to be the key to finding out who this person is."
Description and Appeal
Initial enquiries gave officers a general idea of the man's age, height and build: between 30 and 60 years old, around 6ft (1.83m), weighing between 202lbs and 220lbs (91.5kg - 99.5kg), and of white European descent. Facial depiction work identified he had protruding teeth, a left-sided cross bite, a rounded chin and square jawline, with a downturned nose. He had no distinguishable marks such as scars or tattoos, and no other items of clothing, jewellery or modes of transport were located in the area.
DI Ponting said: "Someone must know who this man is. Maybe you recognise him from the digital image, or maybe you visited Claerwen Reservoir and saw something that stands out in your mind – whatever it is, it might help to progress our enquiries. Our ultimate aim is to identify this man so we can return him to his family or loved ones so he can be laid to rest appropriately."
Police are asking anyone who visited Claerwen Reservoir between July and October 18, 2024, and saw anything that might help, or who knows someone matching the description who has not been seen for some time, to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, via email at 01@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
