Germany Germany- Heligoland, MaleWht, 45-50, 6'5'', "The Gentleman'', Marks & Spencer tie, 11 July 1994

[dotr]

Mystery murder victim 'The Gentleman' had links to Bristol

He was wearing distinctive shoes

www.bristolpost.co.uk

rbbm.2022
By Tom Pettifor Louisa Streeting

''The man was slim, weighing around 11 to 12 stone. His hair colour and length and eye colour are unknown.''

''Fiona Gabbert, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Forensic Psychology Unit at Goldsmiths, said earlier this year: “We believe that the man is likely to have gone missing somewhere between the end of 1993 and the first six months of 1994 so we’re calling on the public to think back to that time.

“Our research shows that activating memories from a particular period can help individuals remember more information from that particular time so we’re asking you to read through a list of news and events that happened in 1993/1994.

“Take a while to think where you were and who you knew at this time. Do you think you might know the man we are seeking to identify”

Headline news at the time included the death of Pablo Escobar, the IRA Heathrow bombings, the death of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, O.J. Simpson’s arrest and the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa.

Any information can be emailed to Wilhelmshaven police department or call +49 04421 942104. Alternatively, contact Locate International at www.locate.international.''

 

[Magnum P.E.]

I agree with you. Bruno Magli are not only very comfortable shoes as they also last forever. Mine (women's shoes) were bought in the late 90s/ early 2000s and they look brand new.
MOO JMO

OJ may have ruined their reputation, but they are great. Mine are 20 years old at least and yep, they look new.

 

[fred&edna]

I find it slightly interesting there was evidence of him having been weighted down yet his slip-on shoes remained on the body. Were the waves and currents not swift enough in these waters to cause the shoes to be lost fairly quickly? Or did bloating of the body help to keep the shoes on his feet? I could understand this better if the footwear had laces and were tied-on.

 

[branmuffin]

Based on this guy's dress choices: woolen striped tie, blue dress shirt, expensive, comfortable shoes and French-made trousers, what profession would you think he could be? I think professor. The only thing missing is a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches.

 

[dotr]

Lengthy article, rbbm.

How a UK missing persons charity solves cold cases using expert volunteers

Locate International, founded by a retired detective, has one ultimate goal: to investigate every cold case in the UK

www.theguardian.com

Amelia Hill 2 Apr 2023

''This is where Locate International comes in. The charity is the brainwave of Dave Grimstead, a retired detective, and its ultimate goal is to investigate every cold case in the UK – finding loved ones if possible, or if not then providing a degree of peace to friends and families with the reassurance that every lead has been exhaustively scrutinised.
Locate International is still only a pilot scheme but nevertheless it investigated 128 missing person cases last year, including the Girl in the Afghan Coat. They identified 26 people – one in five''.


''Dave Grimstead says ‘our volunteers are able to find answers to cases that have remained unsolved, sometimes for decades’. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
The success has taken Grimstead by surprise. “It amazes me that our volunteers are able to find answers to cases that have remained unsolved, sometimes for decades,” he said.
The charity has three strands: community investigation teams, university investigation teams and graduate investigation programmes.
The community investigation teams already have more than 325 volunteer detectives from around the world. From all walks of life, from carers to ex-GCHQ, they undertake a 32-hour training course, with another 118 hours of optional expertise in modules including the use of DNA in human identification, open-source intelligence and forensic human identification.''

............
''These teams focus on creating increasingly effective appeals and tools for Locate to use. Goldsmiths, University of London’s forensic psychology unit, for example, has devised a self-administered interview to help families jog deeply buried memories. The University of Winchester is researching geo-forensic searches for clandestine graves, and the University of South Wales is researching triggers that might indicate homicide in missing person reports.
Locate International has also got industry onboard: Solv Technology is testing digital marketing techniques for appeals, while Thing Link is developing a “touchscreen” approach to bring reconstruction images to life.''

 

[Susikatze]

Based on this guy's dress choices: woolen striped tie, blue dress shirt, expensive, comfortable shoes and French-made trousers, what profession would you think he could be? I think professor. The only thing missing is a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches.

Well, anything from car salesman to bank clerk to real estate agent to mobster is possible. Loads of folks dress nicely

 

[worldwatcher]

From a Dutch crime stop broadcast
(14-03-2023)

“After excavation of the body in 2021, researchers managed to make a facial view of the man. Isotope research could also be carried out, which showed that the man spent part of his life in Australia and/or Northern Europe. As a result, in combination with its height and the location of the body close to the Wadden Sea, there is a suspicion that the man may be linked to the Netherlands.”

Also a mention for several podcast:

MORE ABOUT THIS COLD CASE:

• Serie podcasts over ‘The Gentleman of Heligoland’
• Aflevering van talkshow van Darryl Morris
• Webpagina en podcast van ‘Locate International’

 

[Susikatze]

Woo-hoo... the marvels of isotope analysis strike again.
. Australia or Northern Europe... i bet this dude was British and never left Britain...

And because he was tall, he MUST be Dutch, right?

Tired of European laws banning genetic genealogy. He will never be identified until it is allowed.

 

[worldwatcher]

Woo-hoo... the marvels of isotope analysis strike again.
. Australia or Northern Europe... i bet this dude was British and never left Britain...

And because he was tall, he MUST be Dutch, right?

Tired of European laws banning genetic genealogy. He will never be identified until it is allowed.

Maybe, I am not sure,in E5 The Mysterious Case of the Gentleman of Heligoland | a podcast by Ken Davies / Iain Mackay,Its about a mysterious disappearance in The Netherlands, it is a good podcast,they dive in deep.(about everything)

After listening to it,I am still trying to search about the disappearance The Netherlands. (E5)
-- The Blood-Spattered Cabin (never heard of his missing)

anyway,here is about the first episodes, Ruled out - Michael Sterling Dean,it solves a long mystery from Canada..kudos to the podcast ! (for solving this)
They truly covered,everything,imo.

 

[dotr]

A Tall Mystery - #ShareOrSolve - Locate International

Can you help solve this case? We are appealing to those who are from tall families, or have tall friends who may have lost contact with a loved one.

locate.international

''A Tall Mystery​

You can help solve a murder investigation by simply thinking about any 6’4″-6’6″ (193-198cm) white male you may have lost contact with. This man was found weighted down in the North Sea in July 1994, having suffered a catastrophic blow to the side of the head and rib cage. This is an ongoing investigation led by the specialist homicide team in Wilhemshaven, Germany.
‘North Sea Man’ had a name in life, and we’d like your help in returning it to him in death.

Did you used to know someone who was 6’4″ – 6’6″?

Are you from a tall family?''

''How you can help​

White men who are 6’4″ – 6’6″ (193 – 197cm) tall, make up a very small proportion of the world’s population. Take time to think back to school, college, university, sports teams, parties, or family weddings and get togethers.
Do you remember anyone of this description that you have lost touch with?
Being tall often runs in families. Is there anyone in your family tree who is about 6’4″ – 6’6″ (193 – 197cm) tall, who you or your family have lost contact with?
If you have any information you think may be relevant, please complete the form below.
Don’t worry if the information you have is limited, as it may still link with information coming from others.''

 

[iamshadow21]

This man's identity has been a mystery for 30 years. Investigators want your help to solve the case

Today marks 30 years since the body of a tall, well-dressed man was pulled from the waters off Germany. Investigators hope tip-offs from Australia and genetic mapping may help crack the case.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Melt71]

Important to note from the article above, that genetic genealogy

According to Locate International, German investigators have decided to use FIGG on the North Sea Man case, but it won't happen immediately.......

....Dr Ward says regulators are trying to strike a balance between resolving cases, while respecting the privacy of people who've done a consumer DNA test but not consented to their information being used in a police investigation.

"There's a number of prerequisite activities normally undertaken before law enforcement starts using this technique, things like privacy impact assessments and legal reviews," she says.

"In Australia, there's no national legislation in place, and as you can imagine these kind of DNA technologies are evolving at a rapid pace."

 

[Susikatze]

Important to note from the article above, that genetic genealogy

According to Locate International, German investigators have decided to use FIGG on the North Sea Man case, but it won't happen immediately.......

....Dr Ward says regulators are trying to strike a balance between resolving cases, while respecting the privacy of people who've done a consumer DNA test but not consented to their information being used in a police investigation.

"There's a number of prerequisite activities normally undertaken before law enforcement starts using this technique, things like privacy impact assessments and legal reviews," she says.

"In Australia, there's no national legislation in place, and as you can imagine these kind of DNA technologies are evolving at a rapid pace."

Being European I know how strict data protection and privacy laws are and in many instances this is good - for example we hardly get telemarketers that are so common in the us. but in cases of uid and especially if there is evidence of foul play, there should be a bit more wiggle room. Personal data should strictly be used by LE and the appointed FGG team and not given to third parties. Focus should be on building trees and work from public records. If that does not succeed, identified relatives can be contacted. those relatives should always have the right to refuse answer and not be contacted or considered anymore and their personal data in LE files anonymized.

I believe this may be a viable way to ise FGG and still be in accordance with the European data protection laws (i am not familiar with the UK legal system though, just the EU GDPRL).

 

[Susikatze]

I bet my money he is British, likely from the Bristol area, His clothes and the shoe lasts were British.

 

[wibbleflea]

Maybe, I am not sure,in E5 The Mysterious Case of the Gentleman of Heligoland | a podcast by Ken Davies / Iain Mackay,Its about a mysterious disappearance in The Netherlands, it is a good podcast,they dive in deep.(about everything)

After listening to it,I am still trying to search about the disappearance The Netherlands. (E5)
-- The Blood-Spattered Cabin (never heard of his missing)

anyway,here is about the first episodes, Ruled out - Michael Sterling Dean,it solves a long mystery from Canada..kudos to the podcast ! (for solving this)
They truly covered,everything,imo.

This is an excellent podcast. I've been listening to podcasts for 20 years and most of the true crime genre are almost unlistenable because the presenters aren't logical enough. The presenters here are cautious, thorough and detailed.

 

[Susikatze]

I bet my money he is British, likely from the Bristol area, His clothes and the shoe lasts were British.

His shoes were repaired in Bristol and his shoelasts were retired from a Bristol workshop. All his clothing was from the UK, despite operating internationally, all evidence combined points to a British origin. There is nothing aside from a vague isotope signature that can be British but also found in other European areas that would point towards a non british origin.

A bit of a pity he floated or was dumped in German waters, so the German police is responsible for his case. While recently the UK has opened up more and more towards FGG and also wide spread information to the public, Germany is still very much behind. Personality protection above anything, you cant even mention the name of a known murderer in most German media. Crime cases are to be handled by LE professionals alone and the public is hardly informed and if, only via official police media with very sparse information. They made an appeal on media now and their only “identifier” was: “there are only 10% people that are tall, are you missing a tall relative?” I mean, come on. No image, no clothing description. I grew up in Germany and follow German LE closely and it is a pity. I dont think it is much different in other EU countries maybe aside from the Netherlands which seems to be opening up a bit.

I sincerely hope that will change in the future but it may be too late for many cases.

jmoo

 

[Susikatze]

Also I doubt an appeal in Germany would help, he is 99% certainly British. His case needs to be published more in Britain, especially Bristol and surroundings

 

[Konstantin]

Also I doubt an appeal in Germany would help, he is 99% certainly British. His case needs to be published more in Britain, especially Bristol and surroundings

Would it not be possible to try to get a local Bristol newspaper interested in writing a story about the case if they haven't already?

It's a really interesting story and even if the Doe ends up not being from Bristol, the Bristol connection will definitely make this of interest to Bristolians.

 

[alb1on]

Being European I know how strict data protection and privacy laws are and in many instances this is good - for example we hardly get telemarketers that are so common in the us. but in cases of uid and especially if there is evidence of foul play, there should be a bit more wiggle room. Personal data should strictly be used by LE and the appointed FGG team and not given to third parties. Focus should be on building trees and work from public records. If that does not succeed, identified relatives can be contacted. those relatives should always have the right to refuse answer and not be contacted or considered anymore and their personal data in LE files anonymized.

I believe this may be a viable way to ise FGG and still be in accordance with the European data protection laws (i am not familiar with the UK legal system though, just the EU GDPRL).

In the UK familial DNA matching using the police DNA database has been in place for some time and, according to the government paper of 2020 results in success in about 20% of cases. It does seem this has been limited to use for serious crimes but I can see no legal impediment to using it in cases like this, other than resource limitations. A 20% hit rate may not be great but it is better than nothing.