Facial reconstruction of unidentified body

The task of identifying the remains of an unknown male whose body was discovered in the Waitakere ranges almost 18 months ago has moved up another level with a facial reconstruction of the deceased being created by a Auckland Cardiologist.

Waitakere Police Investigator Detective Sergeant Roger Small said lengthy enquiries to establish the identity of the man have to date been unsuccessful. Dr Jonathan Christiansen an Auckland based Cardiologist has reconstructed the facial features to assist with the identification.

It's extremely rare for a body to be unidentified so long. Television New Zealand's Current Affairs programme 20/20 profiled Thursday night 25 June 2009 the science used in the two month facial reconstruction, and report progress of the ongoing police investigation which started on 25 February 2008 when four pig hunters discovered a body in the Waitakere ranges.

The body was found just a few hundred metres into the bush from Scenic Drive, and less than a kilometre from the Arataki visitor's centre. An examination of the scene and exhibits coupled with forensic information has lead police to believe that the body has been in situ since 1987-1992.

"Our enquiries reveal no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death. We are reaffirming our appeal to the public for help in identifying the body, so that he can be returned to his family and enable some closure for them," says Detective Sergeant Roger Small.

"The remains of the deceased are at the Auckland mortuary. I am mystified that this man appears to have no existing relatives. It's certainly proving to be a challenging investigation."

"Our options are declining. I'm hopeful this latest profile on the facial reconstruction will provide a vital breakthrough in our efforts to close this enquiry," he said.

"Potentially hundreds of missing people have been considered as potential relatives and through a process of elimination and scene examination we have reduced this number considerably."

"Our elimination process has included forensic dentistry, plus the national data base of missing persons and numerous nominations from the public. We discovered several people reported as missing, who were actually alive and well."

"Detective Sergeant Small said that in recent months seventeen people have been eliminated from our enquiry through a variety of means. There are two people of interest remaining, relatives of whom we are still attempting to locate."

"There is a strong chance that the identity of the deceased man may never be known. Police hope however that someone will see this facial reconstruction and come forward with information that will confirm an identity."

Police welcome nominations from the public of anyone who has been missing since the late 1980's. If you have any information that will help this enquiry please call Detective Sergeant Roger Small direct on Auckland telephone 09 839 0715 at anytime.

NOTE;

A full description of the unidentified man is outlined for media.
Images of the facial reconstruction are included for publication
The 20/20 Program was broadcast at 9.30pm last night on TV2
Information can be emailed to Police at - info@police.govt.nz
Information can be phoned direct to Waitakere Police at 09 839 0715

ENDS:

Kevin Loughlin

Communications Manager & Media Advisor

Waitemata Police District Headquarters | Takapuna North Shore City

? Phone: +64 9 488 9758 | Mobile: 027 281 0271 |? kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz

UNIDENTIFIED BODY:

DESCRIPTION FACTORS:

GENDER: Male - based on shape of pelvic bones

AGE: 25-50 - likely to be in his 40's, based on growth plates in the bones

HEIGHT: About 172 cm tall [5 feet 8 inches] based on the length of thigh bone

BUILD: Heavy and muscular, based on muscle markings on bones

SMOKER: Based on packet of cigarette filters found with the remains

ASTHMATIC: Based on an inhaler found with him at the scene

DECEASED: It's likely he went missing, and died between 1987- 1992 based on coins and Coke Bottle found at the scene.

ITEMS: Coins and a Coke Bottle found with the remains of the deceased.

None of the coins was minted after 1987. Shape of the Coke bottle wasn't made or sold in shops after 1992.

Had keys in his possession which are believed to be for a Mitsubishi car, a Suzuki motorcycle, and a Legge or Underwood backdoor key

CLOTHING: The unidentified man was wearing the following clothing when found

A brown bomber-style jacket

A chequered shirt with a Chinese style collar

A green sweatshirt

Black and White Adidas shoes

Long trousers which were most likely jeans

[Photos of the items of clothing have previously been distributed to media:]