John Doe

Status:

Open

Recovery Location:

Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Summary:

On 22nd January 1982, the skeletal remains of a man were discovered by a farmer at Trethill Cliff near Tregantle Fort, Cornwall. Over 40 years later, his identity remains a mystery. Age range: 25-30 years. The Cornwall Coroner recorded that he died by natural causes — that he had probably lain down for shelter and succumbed to exposure.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Recovery:

Farmer Dave Matthews found the skeletal remains of a man while cutting gorse near Tregantle Fort in Cornwall in 1982. He thought it was a football, but then found out it was a skull when he got off the tractor and looked at it. The remains were found in overgrowth in a farmer's field at Trethill Cliff bordering the B3247 near Tregantle Fort, in southeastern Cornwall. Possessions included a British passport with an embossed issue date, and a blue Merchant Navy discharge book. All other details on the passport and discharge book had been destroyed by time and the elements. Close to the man's body was a pouch containing coins, some dating from the late 1970's, and a copy of the Sun newspaper dated 1978.

Additional Details:

During 1982, local police and CID made extensive efforts to try and identify the man, reducing the number of possible names attributed to the issue date on his passport from twelve thousand to twenty-three that could not be accounted for. These names were checked against National Insurance records, circulated to local police forces for examination, and then on to the Merchant Navy to check against their records. With nothing to indicate that suicide, an accident or foul play were involved in the man's death, the Cornwall Coroner recorded that he died by natural causes — that he had probably lain down for shelter and succumbed to exposure. The man was buried on October 24, 1983. His headstone, which has the words 'Some Mother's Son' on it, is located in Torpoint's Horson Cemetery. His grave is cared for by the residents of the local community, many of whom would love to see him reunited with his name. Among the cases being re-examined is that of Some Mother's Son, relating to the discovery of an unidentified body near Trethill cliff in Tregantle, Cornwall, in January 1982. Locate International is working with Devon & Cornwall Police to help investigate cold cases. A team of 12 people, supplemented by members of the Special Constabulary, has been attending Devon & Cornwall Police's archives over several months as part of Operation Locate, which is supported by local coroners.

Case Last Updated:

Nov 15, 2026