A poignant appeal has been reissued by the British Transport Police in a determined effort to solve the heart-rending mystery of a young man found dead more than 30 years ago on a railway embankment. The discovery, dating back to July 26, 1991, occurred just south of the Ouse Valley Viaduct, nestled between Balcombe and Haywards Heath, where the young man’s body was found in circumstances that have puzzled investigators for decades.
Described as a white male, aged between 19 and 25, the unidentified man was approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed around 80kg, and had distinctive dark brown curly hair paired with brown eyes. The scene, marked by the tragic sight of the man hanging from a tree near the railway lines, has since remained a sombre unsolved chapter in the local community’s history.
In a renewed bid to shed light on this long-standing mystery, the British Transport Police have released an e-fit image of the man, capturing the essence of his features in the hope that it might trigger recognition and lead to valuable information. Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn highlighted the profound tragedy of the case, emphasizing the sorrow of an individual dying in obscurity, with no known family or friends to mourn the loss.
At the time of his discovery, the man was dressed in a blue denim ensemble complemented by a mauve polo neck sweater, a grey shirt, a blue T-shirt, white socks, and brown walking shoes, cloaked in a red and blue waterproof jacket. Among his possessions were a personal stereo, two Beverley Craven tapes, a brown wallet, a blue Mickey Mouse rucksack, 20 "Kool" cigarettes, a British tourist map of London, £52 in cash, and a Woolwich Building Society pen—items that paint a poignant picture of his life.
Laid to rest in St Peter’s Church in Ardingly, the man’s identity remains a mystery, his life story untold. The appeal extends beyond the immediate community, reaching out to anyone who might recognize the man or have any fragment of information, no matter how small, that could illuminate his identity and bring a measure of closure to a case that has lingered in the shadows for too long.
The British Transport Police urge anyone with information to come forward, to give a name to the unknown, and ensure that the young man’s memory is acknowledged and honored, finally providing peace to a soul that has remained nameless for far too long.
You can watch the BTP appeal on BBC Cromwewatch at the following link
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