Appeal to identify dead man

Thames Valley Police have released a photograph of a farrier shoeing a distinctively marked horse in an attempt to help them identify a man found dead in a Buckinghamshire wood.

The man was found by two walkers in woodland near Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, on Friday 21 February, but they have still not been able to formally identify him.

Among the possessions found in a Head rucksack near the body was a mini disc player, several country and western CDs and the photograph (pictured), which shows a man shoeing a skewbald horse.

Police believe the dead man is pictured in the photo but say they cannot be certain. It is hoped that someone will recognise the man, the horse, or something from the background of the photograph that might open new lines of enquiry.

Sgt Anne Dunbar, of Thames Valley Police, said: “We would ask that people study this photograph and let us know if anything about it seems familiar. We know that the man we need to identify enjoyed country music and it is possible he had connections with Ireland, as his coat was made in Dublin.

“The fact that he had this photo in his possession would suggest that he had links to horses, and it is possible he had connections with horse racing.”

The man is white and thought to be aged in his mid 50s. He is of medium build, with short, grey receding hair which was slightly curly, a grey moustache and blue eyes. He wore a top set of dentures that were found in his pocket and was also in possession of a pair of glasses.

He was wearing brown “Lomer Professional” walking boots, blue, slightly faded Wrangler jeans, a grey fleece type shirt with a cream T-shirt underneath, and a Tog 24 Boardwear black/ dark navy blue sweatshirt. He also wore a green wax jacket made by Callaghans of Dublin, with racehorses on the buttons, a brown twisted leather belt and an Indeglow Timex watch.

Anyone who thinks they may have information, no matter how small, is urged to contact police (tel: 01296 396099) or the coroner’s officer for Aylesbury, Mr Malcolm Stevens (tel: 01296 396116).

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