UK UK - Jack O'Sullivan, 22, left friends after night out, last seen Brunel Lock Road/Brunel Way, Bristol at 3.15am, 2 Mar 2024

[Coconutty]

My iPhone is waterproof but only for about 30 minutes or so. Then it would presumably break so turn off and lose the location.

 

[MollyHarps]

New cctv of a potential witness they wish to speak with

Update on investigation into missing Jack O’Sullivan | Avon and Somerset Police

More than 1,000 taxi drivers have been contacted as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Jack O’Sullivan, 23, who went missing in Bristol on Saturday 2 March.

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

Hopefully this person comes forward and has some information

In the last week or so I feel the police are stepping up their work on this case.

I still think the likely outcome is that he fell into the river but with his phone being elsewhere on the findmyphone app it does raise some doubts & questions

I hope his family get answers soon

 

[Kittypoo]

Is there any update on the new witness?
The phone location could be misleading if he dropped it rushing along or it was stolen.
My heart goes out to the family

 

[CS2C]

Update

 

[Kittypoo]

Update

Thread 'UK - Bodies in Avon spark 'Bristol Pusher' fears'
UK - UK - Bodies in Avon spark 'Bristol Pusher' fears
Just saw this caught my eye from 2017 I wonder if anything ever came of this theory

 

[rightsaidfred]

Thread 'UK - Bodies in Avon spark 'Bristol Pusher' fears'
UK - UK - Bodies in Avon spark 'Bristol Pusher' fears
Just saw this caught my eye from 2017 I wonder if anything ever came of this theory

Versions of the pusher urban legend have circulated for years in different locations. It's good tabloid fodder.

People who go missing in Cardiff almost always seem to turn up in the River Taff - it happens at least twice a year - but no such rumours circulate here.

A body of water makes everything worse - a trip turns into a drowning, and then a massive, well publicised missing persons case before they're eventually found. If they'd tripped, hit their head on the pavement and died then there wouldn't be any real publicity at all.

These claims of a pusher never seem to be accompanied by stories of people being deliberately pushed but surviving - you'd expect at least some to be strong enough swimmers to escape.

 

[hallini]

Versions of the pusher urban legend have circulated for years in different locations. It's good tabloid fodder.

People who go missing in Cardiff almost always seem to turn up in the River Taff - it happens at least twice a year - but no such rumours circulate here.

A body of water makes everything worse - a trip turns into a drowning, and then a massive, well publicised missing persons case before they're eventually found. If they'd tripped, hit their head on the pavement and died then there wouldn't be any real publicity at all.

These claims of a pusher never seem to be accompanied by stories of people being deliberately pushed but surviving - you'd expect at least some to be strong enough swimmers to escape.

I think this “theory” has been in the forefront following the death of Nicola Bulley, which coincided with a few other bodies being found in rivers elsewhere. I think naturally some are quick to make links but there is little evidence to support the idea of a pusher other than circumstantial.

We’ve also had a few in Bristol in the months before Jack went missing:
Vincent Le Goascoz - last seen 2nd December 2023 on Redcliff Street, found Redcliffe Quay 6th December 2023
Keith Marsden- Missing since 4th December 2023 from Blaise Woods, found in the River Avon 31st January 2024
Sean Teddy - last seen 6th December in Henbury, found in a stream in Hartcliffe 14th March 2024

I’m in no way suggesting there is a link, there are numerous incidents of people falling in or bodies being found in Bristol Habour and the Avon over many years. On the face of it links could be drawn but I think two of the deaths I’ve mentioned above are more than likely accidental. However, Sean’s death seemed odd to me (but I won’t go into that as it will detract from this thread).

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Just over 3 months now...

 

[CS2C]

Crazy isn't it.

Is it possible that if he did enter the water that his body may never surface ?

 

[rightsaidfred]

Crazy isn't it.

Is it possible that if he did enter the water that his body may never surface ?

There's lots of factors

The summary of it is that putrefaction creates gases, and most bodies will eventually float, but lots of factors change the speed at which that happens

Q & A; Bodies in Water (Published 2002)

Q & A column answers question about why corpses float; drawing (M)

www.nytimes.com

 

[sundaaaay]

Is it possible that if he did enter the water that his body may never surface ?

The river is very tidal, so if he had entered the water, he could have ended up upstream possibly getting snagged somewhere along the way or downstream towards the sea. The river is rich in sediment so very murky. His clothing choice would not stand out visually. Their best bet is to search on especially low tides along the banks at this point.

Obviously it is speculative to suggest he entered the river, because we know he crossed the bridge successfully Entering the river also does not fit with the location on the phone remaining active near Granby Hill hours later. However, his decision making that night does not seem logical to me and most importantly, where he is last seen on CCTV is not a safe place to be drunk and that has to be the most important piece of information in this case.

 

[RobinCAL]

Jack O'Sullivan's parents file complaint about police operation

The family of the young student say crucial errors were made in the early days of the investigation.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[CS2C]

So so sad. I went over the bridge yesterday on my way to a Take That concert (don't judge me)
I also walked home along an adjacent park and underneath the overpass which wasn't very well lit.
I wouldn't fancy doing that alone to be honest.

 

[Kye Zeeb]

Jack O'Sullivan's parents file complaint about police operation

The family of the young student say crucial errors were made in the early days of the investigation.

www.bbc.co.uk

This was also featured on BBC Breakfast this morning. 100 days missing.

 

[sundaaaay]

Jack O'Sullivan's parents file complaint about police operation

The family of the young student say crucial errors were made in the early days of the investigation.

www.bbc.co.uk

It was a big blunder on this case because so much time was lost the beginning by missing that cctv footage of Jack crossing the bridge. Placing him in a completely different area. Police were searching on the wrong side of the river. But what are other people's opinions on this case, does anyone suspect foul play?

My theory is the same as it was in the beginning; when someone goes missing near water, they're normally in the water. I just think it's such a dangerous location to be walking alone drunk, there is so many spots you can end up in the water and because it's so tidal it removes the evidence quickly.

 

[CS2C]

Having walked that area on late Sunday evening (albeit with a lot of other people leaving a concert)
I wouldn't feel comfortable personally walking around that area after midnight. There are lots of little alleyways and small turnings where someone could potentially be keeping an eye on someone. Underneath the underpass it is very dark and certainly darker than the cctv makes it appear. I wouldn't say it is a rough area by any means but it just has a bit of a odd vibe and is quite isolated away from the city centre.

 

[Officer Dibble]

I think this “theory” has been in the forefront following the death of Nicola Bulley, which coincided with a few other bodies being found in rivers elsewhere. I think naturally some are quick to make links but there is little evidence to support the idea of a pusher other than circumstantial.

We’ve also had a few in Bristol in the months before Jack went missing:
Vincent Le Goascoz - last seen 2nd December 2023 on Redcliff Street, found Redcliffe Quay 6th December 2023
Keith Marsden- Missing since 4th December 2023 from Blaise Woods, found in the River Avon 31st January 2024
Sean Teddy - last seen 6th December in Henbury, found in a stream in Hartcliffe 14th March 2024

I’m in no way suggesting there is a link, there are numerous incidents of people falling in or bodies being found in Bristol Habour and the Avon over many years. On the face of it links could be drawn but I think two of the deaths I’ve mentioned above are more than likely accidental. However, Sean’s death seemed odd to me (but I won’t go into that as it will detract from this thread).

When discussing the pusher theory in various threads in WS over the years its often commented that Men tend to stand and pee on the edge of water, but if had a drink they likely topple in.

 

[sundaaaay]

Having walked that area on late Sunday evening (albeit with a lot of other people leaving a concert)
I wouldn't feel comfortable personally walking around that area after midnight. There are lots of little alleyways and small turnings where someone could potentially be keeping an eye on someone. Underneath the underpass it is very dark and certainly darker than the cctv makes it appear. I wouldn't say it is a rough area by any means but it just has a bit of a odd vibe and is quite isolated away from the city centre.

I agree, it's a bit of a strange area, certainly built for cars rather than pedestrians which I think partly explains Jack's unusual footsteps because he is more used to being in a car here than a pedestrian here. I'm surprised by some of the small bridges over the water and lack of balustrades near the water in some sections. Jacks seems to have potentially avoided this area initially, by using the Junction Swing Bridge after leaving the party, despite this being the less direct route home.

I also got the impression its not very rough, quite the opposite actually because a few streets away there are lots of very nice houses. But sometimes nice areas can give people a false sense of security.

 

[Bahshudc]

Having walked that area on late Sunday evening (albeit with a lot of other people leaving a concert)
I wouldn't feel comfortable personally walking around that area after midnight. There are lots of little alleyways and small turnings where someone could potentially be keeping an eye on someone. Underneath the underpass it is very dark and certainly darker than the cctv makes it appear. I wouldn't say it is a rough area by any means but it just has a bit of an odd vibe and is quite isolated away from the city centre.

My partner lives in Bristol and has done that walk many times. As a local, he says you don’t go there to get a taxi. You don’t go there for drug deals either. It’s a random area which most people avoid or pass through on their walk home.

 

[Twittens]

It was a big blunder on this case because so much time was lost the beginning by missing that cctv footage of Jack crossing the bridge. Placing him in a completely different area. Police were searching on the wrong side of the river. But what are other people's opinions on this case, does anyone suspect foul play?

My theory is the same as it was in the beginning; when someone goes missing near water, they're normally in the water. I just think it's such a dangerous location to be walking alone drunk, there is so many spots you can end up in the water and because it's so tidal it removes the evidence quickly.

I don't think you can rule out foul play.

I spend a lot of time in Bristol and like it a lot but that's not a location I would feel at all happy to find myself in late at night (with a broken down car for instance). The combination of the water and the mishmash of roads makes it a kind of liminal zone where pretty much anything could happen. There's a lot of wasteground and dodgy little hidey holes. I do think the police have dropped the ball. The combination of cctv and his phone's last known location gives a clear steer on the area to focus on, and they could have been out doing door to door and collecting cctv and doorbell footage, plus an appeal to drivers for dashcam footage. It would have taken ages to go through it all but by now it might have been offering up some new leads.

The other strong possibility imo is a hit and run where the driver disposed of his body.

An accidental death involving water can't be ruled out because it's so often what's happened with young men on a night out, but without a body should only be a conclusion of last resort, whereas it seems to have been a go to demi conclusion in poor Jack's case, which is wrong. I might feel differently if there was evidence of stress, depression, a relationship break up or whatever, and a suspicion he'd gone towards the water to brood and might have been suicidal. But afaik there's been nothing of that sort said or in his history. And I don't believe in a waterside homicidal 'pusher' for a minute. I'm sure there was a strong belief in one in Manchester a few years ago, after a spate of drunk young men ended up in the canal, until one of them was caught on cctv and it was clear he was just incapacitated, no one else involved. People want death not to seem stupid and needless, and grasp at explanations that allow it to be someone else's fault imho.

But Jack's case could be something else and needs to be investigated more thoroughly imo. It might not be too late to find some more footage of him.