Mystery of the Naked Dead Body Washed Up on a Beach

[Susan]

• The corpse was found in a popular north Cornwall tourist spot
• A wallet found close to scene contained intriguing photograph
• Corpse had many injuries and may have had something wedged in throat
• Police have now launched a murder investigation

Police investigating the discovery of a naked man's body that was washed up on a beach in north Cornwall say he may have been murdered.
The body was found washed up in the surf on Tuesday afternoon at Perranporth beach in north Cornwall and jacket, keys, a wallet containing an April 13 1952 black and white photo of a toddler were found close to the corpse.
He suffered 'numerous injuries across many parts of his body' that were inconsistent with drowning, said Det Chief Insp Dave Thorne of Devon and Cornwall police.

Police attend the scene where a man's body was washed up on the beach at Perranporth, Cornwall. He was found dead on a beach naked with just one shoe and an old black and white photograph. The death is being treated as suspicious







Mystery: A faded photo of a toddler that dates back to 1952 was found in a wallet lying near the body

It is believed the man, who reportedly has a beard, had something wedged into his throat but police would not comment on specific wounds.
DCI Thorne said the death was being treated as suspicious following a post-mortem - but more tests need to be carried out before they can be certain.


He said: 'We cannot rule out the injuries may have been caused by some perfectly innocent activity.
'People involved in manual work activity could result in getting injuries.
'We can't go into the detail of those injuries at this moment in time but we are happy they are not necessarily caused by natural events and we have to treat them as suspicious.

The set of keys found near the body





The man was was reportedly completely naked apart from socks and one walking shoe. A day later a dark navy blue Regatta coat was found nearby

'Finding out the identity of this man is key to the investigation. Without knowing who he is it is very difficult to find out what happened to him and establish the circumstances surrounding his death.'
His fingerprints have been sent to Interpol to check on their database.
DCI Thorne said the man may have ended up in the sea from a ship or boat off the North Cornwall coastline.
He said: 'It's really difficult to say. But we think he was in the water for between 12 and 24 hours. He was found washed up in the surf in the water.
'The sea conditions were rough, there was an incoming tide and there was a 10 foot swell.'


Police originally said it was 'unexplained' but have now 'changed tack' and said it was a 'suspicious death and believe a third party may be involved'.
DCI Thorne added: 'Perranporth is a small community which attracts a variety of people and we are hoping someone will have seen something that could unlock the mystery.'
A set of keys was also found on the beach, with a Citroen car key, two mortice lock keys, a hippopotamus keyring and a red fob.
He said there were many people around the beach on Tuesday when the body was found and he appealed to people with any mobile phone and camera footage to come forward.
Around 30 detectives are involved in the inquiry and police are working with coastguards and other experts to find out where the body may have entered the water.


Daily Mail article.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

That's just weird.

[Darkest Angel]

I would like to know what was lodged in his throat. Rough waters may have removed his clothing.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by Darkest Angel

I would like to know what was lodged in his throat. Rough waters may have removed his clothing.

In only 12 to 24 hours? Maybe, depending on what he had been wearing.

[Clubhouse]

Strong tides and undercurrents in the Cornish coastal waters....

[winvens]

So very bizzare. Hopefully DNA tests will shed some light on who this guy was.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by Anom Alley

So very bizzare. Hopefully DNA tests will shed some light on who this guy was.

Depends on whether or not they have a sample of his DNA on record. If he was a convict, then it'll be a slam-dunk. Otherwise, they may have to resort to examining dental records.

And yes, I understand that there's a joke about British dentistry somewhere in there; but I'll be goddamned if I can find it right now.

[Darkest Angel]

Originally Posted by Metal Mike

In only 12 to 24 hours? Maybe, depending on what he had been wearing.

That is true. And if it were cold enough for a coat it most likely was not loose shorts & a t-shirt. Curious.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by Darkest Angel

That is true. And if it were cold enough for a coat it most likely was not loose shorts & a t-shirt. Curious.

Maybe he was boating butt naked and fell overboard?

[Megamel29]

Originally Posted by Metal Mike

Maybe he was boating butt naked and fell overboard?

Except for what's jammed down his throat, that would be a good theory. I would also like to know what that item is. Also, mortice key? Is that the same as skeleton key? Are those in use anymore?