Mystery of Unidentified Man’s Remains Points to Southern France
Six years after a man’s remains were found in a disused barn near Micheldever, Hampshire, police are reopening the hunt with new leads focusing on southern France. The appeal, launched with missing person charity Locate International, follows fresh scientific analysis by the University of Reading.
Clues From a Deserted Barn
The skeleton was discovered on 1 December 2017, along with personal items like a sleeping bag, road map, and rucksack, suggesting he’d been living rough for some time. Forensic experts believe he died of natural causes.
Two years later, a public appeal brought forward witnesses who had met the man in late summer 2012 in Itchen Stoke, just over seven miles from where his body was found. They recall a white male, aged 35-50, about 5’8”, with brown hair and a French accent who spoke good English.
The man asked if he could camp overnight in their garden. He claimed to have served in the French military and was travelling through England en route to Ireland or Canada. Witnesses also noted he might have been deaf or hard of hearing in one ear.
New Scientific Breakthrough Narrows Origins
Despite extensive forensic work and DNA checks, his identity remained a mystery. That changed with isotope analysis of his bones and teeth by Dr Stuart Black, a geochemist at the University of Reading. The results indicate he likely grew up in southern or south-eastern France, western Switzerland, or Corsica.
The analysis also revealed he spent his early years in a sizeable town or city and had a diet rich in marine fish. This fresh insight has unlocked a new phase in the investigation.
Call for Help Across Europe
“It seems very likely that this man died very shortly after interacting with the witnesses we have now identified and lay undiscovered for five years,” said Doug Utting from Hampshire & Isle of Wight police.
“Our enquiries point to his roots in southern France, Corsica, or western Switzerland. We hope this appeal reaches people in those areas who recognise this man or have not heard from him since 2012.”
Locate International CEO Dave Grimstead urges anyone with a connection to step forward:
“Does he look familiar? Did you serve with him in the military? Do you recall someone losing hearing in one ear? He died alone, but we want to make sure he’s not forgotten. Even a tiny clue could be the key to identifying him.”
Police have re-released a facial reconstruction of the man. If you recognise him or have any information, no matter how small, contact Hampshire police on 101, quoting reference 44170467777, or submit details via their website.
This is the crucial chance to finally put a name to the mystery man and reunite him with his family.
