Body found in woods: Investigators release facial reconstruction in fresh bid to solve decade-old mystery

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The man’s remains were discovered in woodland in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, back in 2011 - but investigators still hope to identify him using a new facial reconstruction.

Investigators have released a new facial reconstruction of a man whose body was found in woods more than 11 years ago - and hope the image may help reveal his identity after the case ran cold. The human remains were discovered in woodland near Balmore Golf Club, East Dunbartonshire, on October 16 2011.

There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death but despite previous appeals and extensive inquiries, police have not been unable to establish his identity. It’s thought the man could have been dead for up to six months before he was discovered.

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In a fresh bid to solve the case a new facial reconstruction and 3D images of the man’s clothing have  been released. Investigators at the Scottish Cold Case Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University, in partnership with missing persons’ charity Locate International, issued the images.

Produced by the University of Dundee, the images are being shown online alongside photos of the man’s belongings and drone footage of the woods where he was found. Forensic analysis revealed the man suffered injuries before his death which may have affected his appearance, quality of life and gait.

It’s estimated he was aged between 25 and 34, 5ft 8in – 6ft 1in tall, of slight build, white European, with light-coloured hair. Dr Maureen Taylor, co-director of the Scottish Cold Case Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: "The team have been undertaking inquiries around the clothing he was wearing and his belongings, a geographical profile of the location in which he was found, and missing men from the UK and Europe.

"We know he had a chip to one of his front teeth and injuries to his nose and jaw that he sustained in the months leading to his death. These injuries were not only left untreated but would have caused him significant pain.

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“We also believe that he may have walked with a limp or had difficulty walking." The man was discovered wearing a blue TopMan T-shirt with a maroon diagonal stripe on the front, a blue zipped cardigan bearing the logo Greek Pennsylvania, light-coloured jeans and black waterproof walking shoes which are commonly bought in Lidl.

A number of personal items including toiletries, additional clothes, headphones, chargers, a lighter, and cigarette papers were found in a Nike messenger type bag near his body. Professor Lesley McMillan, co-director of the Unit, which is made up of Criminology students and academic staff, said: “We hope the information and images in our appeal jog someone’s memory.

Cold case investigators have released a new facial reconstruction image of a man whose body was found in woods more than 11 years ago – in a bid to identify him.Cold case investigators have released a new facial reconstruction image of a man whose body was found in woods more than 11 years ago – in a bid to identify him.
Cold case investigators have released a new facial reconstruction image of a man whose body was found in woods more than 11 years ago – in a bid to identify him. | Glasgow Caledonian University

“Perhaps someone will recognise his clothing or his belongings and help us establish who he is. The Cold Case Unit has spent the last 18 months gathering as much detail as we can to progress this case.

“We greatly value the relationship we have with Police Scotland and are grateful to our colleagues at the University of Dundee for the renewed facial reconstruction and support with 3D imaging. We would encourage anyone with information that might be relevant, no matter how small, to please get in touch with us.”

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