In a renewed effort to solve a perplexing cold case, authorities in Wales have announced a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the suspected murder of a man whose remains were discovered over a decade ago in a remote forest.
The grim discovery was made in November 2015 when campers stumbled upon part of the man’s skull in the Clocaenog Forest, Conwy county. A subsequent police investigation led to the recovery of the victim’s complete skeleton, but despite extensive forensic testing and public appeals, his identity has remained a mystery.
Experts believe the man was Caucasian, born before 1950, and stood between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10.5in tall with a well-built frame. He is thought to have died sometime between 2004 and 2011 and had a history of back problems, as well as several missing teeth prior to his death.
The significant injuries found on the remains have led detectives to treat this as a suspected murder case. In 2016, police appealed for help from dentists, revealing that the man had undergone two identifiable dental procedures commonly performed in the UK between 1980 and 2000.
“Someone knows who was responsible for this man’s death,” said Hayley Fry, the national manager for Wales at Crimestoppers. “His family and friends, wherever they are, deserve answers and justice.”
The charity Crimestoppers is now offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible. The reward will be available for three months as part of the renewed efforts to solve this perplexing case.
Authorities have also released a series of mock-up facial images showing how the man may have looked in his 50s, 60s, and 70s, in the hope that someone may recognise him and come forward with vital information.
“This is a complex and challenging case, but we remain determined to identify the victim and bring those responsible for his death to justice,” said a spokesperson for the police investigation. “We urge anyone with any information, no matter how small, to come forward and help us solve this mystery.”