A new lead has emerged in the near 40-year mystery of a man found dead in woods near Lichfield, linking him to a nearby leisure venue. Investigators are now appealing for fresh information.
Discovery and Initial Investigation
Two men out shooting in Coronation Wood, Swinfen, near Lichfield, discovered a man hanging from a tree on Sunday, April 5, 1987. He is believed to have died a week earlier. Despite exhaustive enquiries by Staffordshire Police, he has never been identified.
The man was in his mid-50s, 5ft 8ins (173cm) with a slender/muscular build. He had short, dark mousy hair greying at the sides and back, and a greying moustache on the edge of his upper lip. He also had only two lower teeth, giving him a distinctive look.
Locate International's Fresh Appeal
Volunteer investigators with Locate International, a charity that investigates cold cases of missing and unidentified people, confirmed it was working with Staffordshire Police to solve the mystery. The two organisations issued a fresh appeal for information last month, and that appeal has now given them a 'promising new lead'.
Several members of the public contacted Locate International. One suggested that the man resembled someone known to attend the swimming pool at Friary School in Lichfield (now closed) on weekends in the mid-1980s.
Description of the Suspected Individual
The man is said to have spoken 'good English with a strong Eastern European accent, possibly from Russia'. He was described as a 'friendly loner' who had a lot of interesting stories to tell. Investigators are now looking into whether a key discovered in possession of the deceased, which had a metal fob with the number 6, might have been used at the swimming pool lockers.
Items Found on the Deceased
Other items found on the man include two keys on a metal, pear-shaped fob with the number ‘6’ stamped upon it, handkerchiefs, a blue comb, a disposable lighter, two copper coins, and two ‘Ladbrokes’ pens. These suggest he may have spent time at betting shops.
New Questions for the Public
Investigators are asking the public for help with the following new questions:
- Did you use Friary School swimming pool in the early to mid-1980s, or work there? Or is there anyone you know who might have done? If so, please share this appeal with them.
- If so, do you recall an Eastern European or Russian man matching this description?
- What do you remember about him, or what did he tell you? Even the smallest details can make a big difference to the investigation.
- Do you have any photos from the swimming pool at the time?
- Take a look at the key fob. Could it have come from the swimming pool? Do you have any images of the locker keys and fobs used there at the time?
Regarding the betting shop items, investigators ask: "Did you visit betting shops in the area at the time, or know someone who did? Does he look or sound familiar?"
Official Statements
Mark Greenhalgh, Locate International’s CEO, said: “We take all possible leads seriously, but this one appears especially promising. Someone of this description would have stood out, so we’re confident other people will remember him from the Lichfield area at the time.”
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Booker, of Staffordshire Police, added: "We are determined to identify this man and establish who he was after nearly 40 years. We urge anyone who recognises his description, clothing or personal belongings to come forward. No piece of information is too small and could help us finally provide answers about his identity."
How to Provide Information
Anyone with any information on this case is urged to email appeals@locate.international, call 0300 102 1011, or contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting crime reference: 147 of 12/05/2026.
