Whodunnit and
LIKE a particularly perplexing episode of TVs Vera, they are not just whodunnits, but who are they....
A skull found at sea, a skeleton on a seashore, and a man with one hand are just some of the mysterious cases of unidentified bodies in the North East that remain unsolved.
The UK Missing Persons Bureau has records of seven open cases for our region dating as far back as 1972.
The sites of the grim discoveries in the North East include the Rivers Tyne and Wear, Wark Forest and the coast in Beadnell and Seaham.
All of those listed are men, and details in each instance from Durham Constabulary or Northumbria Police differ wildly.
So for those of you made of sterner stuff and not easily spooked, read on to find out more about some of the region’s dark unsolved mysteries.
Skeleton on Seaham rocks
Found on May 13, 2006, the skeletal remains of a man were found on the seashore amongst the rocks. Estimated to stand between 173cm and 183cm, evidence indicates the man suffered from heart disease. Clothing included grey ‘slipper type’ socks with rubber footprints, and brown ‘camper’ style trainers.
Skull found at sea
Found on February 28, 1999, a trawler approximately 15 miles off the coast of Blyth made the grisly discovery.
No other identifying details are available aside from being a male aged between 30 to 40 years old.
The man had been dead for more than six months, but experts suspect it was probably not longer than 10 years.
Decomposed legs on banks of River Wear
Found on September 26, 1992, the decomposed lower half of a man’s body was found on the banks of the river in Sunderland.
He is suspected to have been dead for approximately a year, and aged between 55 and 65.
The man is also believed to have been a White European and of a medium build. Clothing list- ed in the discovery includes brown pinstripe trousers, white elasticated belt, dark-coloured socks, and long johns underwear.
Also recovered from the site was a gold horseshoe-shaped earring, a gold handmade ring, a tin of “Altoids seriously strong peppermints” made in York, cigarette papers and a black pen.
Suspected American found in Wark Forest
Found on February 2, 1990, Northumbria Police suspect his name could be Christopher Oliver and believe him to be American.
The body is estimated to have been in the forest for between four months to a year.
The man is aged between 20 to 40 years old, with brown wavy