Body found in Claerwen Reservoir in Powys, Wales. Man wore wetsuit with no belongings. Identity and cause of death unknown.
Someone reported a floating body last October and police arrived at Claerwen Reservoir. They found a badly decomposed man wearing a £200 wetsuit. He had no belongings, clothes, or a car and he may have been there up to twelve weeks.
A post-mortem exam gave some information revealing the body was a white man, between 30 and 60 years old. He stood around six feet tall and wore a Zone 3 Agile wetsuit (XL). He weighed roughly 202-220lbs with a chest of 44-48 inches.
Despite police checking missing person reports they have not identified the man. They conducted forensic work locally and beyond. They also worked with law enforcement partners in their efforts.
Police are keeping an open mind about the case, still trying to learn who he was and find his family. Officers want to know what happened to him and ask anyone who visited the reservoir area to contact them. This includes visits between July and October 18, 2024.
An investigator told the BBC the situation is unusual because, after months, they still don’t know who he is. They haven’t found any relatives, and police do not suspect a crime occurred.
A local walker, Alan Austin, said he’s never seen anyone swim there and that the water can be dangerous. The water is extremely cold and spills over the dam after rain. It’s worth noting the Claerwen dam was in a Top Gear episode.