Locate International seek to identify man found dead in a wetsuit in the Channel
Charity behind ‘The Missing’ podcast is investigating the death of the man in September last year.
A body found far into the English Channel wearing a wetsuit: can you help solve the mystery of Salcombe Man?
Volunteer investigators with Locate International are looking for the public’s help in identifying the man, whose body was found on Thursday, 23 September 2021.
It was located 46 miles south-west of the seaside town of Salcombe and analysis of tidal flow patterns conducted in the past year suggest he may have entered the sea anywhere along the southern coast of Cornwall, between Land’s End and Plymouth.
To this day, he has still not been identified, but Locate International believe he was involved in watersports, and may not have been very experienced.
The man, who they are calling Salcombe Man, was a white European male of medium build, between 5'7" and 5'10" tall (170 - 178cm) and between 20 and 40 years of age. He had no scars, tattoos, or distinguishing marks, though he had a white crown on his right-lower molar tooth. Reports at the time said he had dark hair on his body.
He was found wearing:
- a 3mm full-length ZCCO neoprene wetsuit with a diagonal zip (size medium)
- Slinx neoprene socks, neoprene shoes (size 9) and Slinx neoprene gloves (size medium).
He is estimated to have been in the water for seven to 10 days prior to being found – between Monday, 13 September 2021 and Thursday 16 September 2021. This was just after Emma Raducanu won the US Open – maybe this might help to jog your memory?
He may have had a particular interest in surfing, paddleboarding, coasteering (sea level traversing) or sea swimming because of the type of clothing he was wearing.
Locate International are also keen to hear from anyone who manages accommodation in Cornwall. Was someone booked into your accommodation in mid-September last year – whether that’s a hotel, B&B, campsite or Airbnb – but did not turn up or did not return after leaving for the day?
Dave Grimstead, Locate International’s CEO and founder, said: “The key to solving this case might come from just one person who remembers one small detail.
“Did you know anyone who was discussing taking part in surfing, paddleboarding, sea swimming or coasteering and that you’ve lost touch with? Or did you meet anyone in Cornwall last year who had discussed doing this on their own?
“Maybe there was someone you knew who was travelling to Devon or Cornwall last September, and you haven’t heard from since? Or maybe you knew someone who owned or bought the items he was wearing?
“No detail is too small, because it can help point our investigation in a new direction, or support information we have already received, so we encourage anyone who may be able to help to come forward.”
If you have any information, please contact Locate International by emailing appeals@locate.international, by calling 0300 102 1011 or by visiting https://locate.international/salcombe-man-unidentified-appeal-2022/
