Case Number:23-008158

At 2:10am on Saturday the 16th of December 2023, a dog walker found the body of a white male between slade bay, Gower, South Wales and Green Meadow Caravan Park, Oxwich near a costal bank. The Unidentified male stood at 6ft tall (183cm), he had dark collar length hair and had a black leather belt, size 8 magnum walking boots, and black socks. He also had a shoulder width of 20 inches which would indicate he may be of a larger build, but this is not definite.

The body had been in the water for some time and was badly decomposed.

It is believed he may have been in the water for a period of months prior to December 2023 according to the UK Missing Persons Unit (UKMPU).

Missing Tooth/Extra tooth

We also know that the unidentified male had an extra tooth which is known as a supernumery, one tooth had been removed.

Tattoo?

He also had a possible tattoo above his ankle but no description could be given.

The dog walker was known to use the same route daily and noted that the body of the unidentified male was not present the day before.

A DNA profile was obtained from the unidentified white male and compared to the national missing persons database, and the DNA database and no match could be generated.

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “On December 16, 2023, South Wales Police received a report of man’s body having been washed up in the shore in the Gower area of Swansea, between Slade Bay and Green Meadow Leisure Park. Since that time, officers have been unable to identify him.

The man had a black leather belt on and a pair of black socks and size nine Magnum walking boots. There are no other distinguishing marks to assist police with the identification of this man.

South Wales Police has worked with other forces within and outside of the UK and to date there has been no matches on the DNA obtained from the body. The body has been described as a white man, six foot in height and with a shoulder width of 20 inches.

South Wales Police are appealing for any new information in relation to the identity of this man. If you have any information, please contact South Wales Police on 101 and quote reference number 2300426894.”

Inquest

A post-mortem examination carried out by Dr John Williams revealed that there were no obvious injuries or third party involvement present.

The coroner Aled Grufydd who covers Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot said “There is no evidence to state who the person is, how they came to be deceased or where they came to be deceased. There is no information whatsoever to make any finding other than an open conclusion. The findings are based on the time and the location where he was found.”

An inquest was held on the 13th of November 2025 and it lead to an open verdict.

Blank Note

I think the safety/walking boots are very notable as they are not the cheapest brand on the market, and they do not stand out in style, design or colour compared to other shoes like this. Magnum is a very popular brand and maybe worn by someone with outdoor experience or maybe in the armed forces.

I don’t think the extra tooth would be too notable with friends but maybe it’s something that could be knowledgeable with close family members. I think a missing tooth though may be more recognisable too more people.

As for the possible tattoo above his ankle, it is not the most distinct place but pieced with other information it may ring a bell with someone.

If you have any information about this case and may have found a match, please click here to provide further information.

Facts

• Body
• Male
• 183 (6 ft 0 ins)
• 16 December 2023
• Swansea, Wales
• South wales police
• Dark Collar length
• Belt – Belt – Unknown – Black colour leather belt
• Footwear – Boots – Unknown – Size 8 magnum walking boots
• Hose – Socks – Unknown – Black colour
• Tattoos: possible above the ankle, although indiscernible.
• Teeth: male believed to have had 32 teeth, one previously removed and noted to have had a supernumery (extra) tooth
• Dental records are available
• a DNA profile is available
• post-mortem examination carried out by Dr John Williams
  

Circumstances

Found at Slade Beach, Gower, South Wales and believed to have been in the water for a period of months.

Useful Links

Enduring mystery of body of ‘John Doe’ washed up on Welsh beach – https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/enduring-mystery-body-john-doe-32866762

Mystery over identity of man whose body washed up on a Welsh beach in 2023 – https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mystery-over-identity-man-whose-31730610

DEATH PROBE Mystery of ‘Man in £100 Walking Boots’ whose identity STILL unknown 18 months after dogwalker found his body on UK beach – https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/35157289/mystery-man-walking-boots-dead-body-beach/

UKMPU – https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/cases/case-23-008158-idr

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Article written by Kelly Haywood