Man wanted as police launch murder investigation

Police investigating the death of 72-year-old David Alderson from Falmouth have launched a murder inquiry.

Mr Alderson’s body was found on Saturday 18 January 2014 within the grounds of the mine works at Wheal Maid near Carharrack in Cornwall.

Initial enquiries suggested he may have suffered a cycling accident but as the investigation has progressed, the death is now being treated as suspicious.

As part of the investigation, officers from the Force’s Major Crime Investigation Team are urgently seeking to trace Kevin Cooper, 33, from Redruth, who is wanted in connection with Mr Alderson’s death.

Mr Cooper (pictured) is described as white, 6ft 3ins, with brown, straight, receding hair and blue eyes. He has a tattoo of a rose and the word ‘Nan’ on the right side of his neck and has two upper teeth missing.

He has been reported missing by his family and police are asking for the public’s help in tracing him. Members of the public are advised not to approach him but to call police on 999.

Superintendent Jim Pearce, Local Policing Commander Area for West Cornwall, said: “I want to reassure the public as best I can that, whilst we are advising people not to approach Mr Cooper, we have no reason to believe that there is any threat to the public in general.

“We have committed significant resources to finding Mr Cooper including increasing police patrols in areas he may be."

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan, Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We also want to trace the last movements of Mr Alderson and are keen to speak to anyone who saw him in the days before his death.

“We now know that Mr Alderson left his home address of 61 Old Hill, Falmouth, in his red Ford Fiesta Freestyle, registration RV51MZZ, sometime in the early evening on Friday 17 January.

“I am anxious to speak to anyone who saw this vehicle or any of its occupants that evening.

“We believe this vehicle was in the Carharrack area, near to Wheal Maid, on Friday evening and returned to Falmouth later that night, where it was left in North Parade.”

Anyone with any information is asked to please call police on the Incident Room number 0800 056 0154, quoting reference 331 of 29 January 2014, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.