Fresh appeal to identify man nearly 40 years after discovery in woods near Lichfield
Despite extensive police investigations over the past four decades, his identity remains unknown
Volunteer investigators from cold-case charity Locate International are working alongside Staffordshire Police to renew an appeal for information that could finally identify a man whose body was discovered in woodland near Lichfield almost four decades ago.
The man, who has never been identified, was found in Coronation Wood near the A38 and A5 on Sunday, April 5, 1987. The area was, and remains, popular with dog walkers.
Police believe he had died around a week before he was discovered. Despite extensive enquiries over the past 39 years, investigators have been unable to establish his identity.
The discovery was made by two men who were shooting in the woodland. The man was found hanging from a tree and was carrying no identification documents.
At the time of his death, he was believed to be in his mid-50s, around 5ft 8in (173cm) tall, with a slender-to-muscular build. He was bald on top, with greying or mousy-coloured hair around the sides and back of his head, and a greying moustache. Investigators say he had only two lower teeth, giving him a particularly distinctive appearance.
The man was wearing:
- A grey zip-front Millets Citizen anorak
- A green Dunn & Co trilby hat
- A lightweight grey zip-up jacket with blue lining from Greenwoods
- A brown knitted jumper from C&A
- A light blue checked shirt from Marks & Spencer
- A dark or wine-red tie featuring awning stripes and pin dots
- Light tan or brown extra-wide fitting slip-on shoes
- Blue or grey trousers
He was also carrying:
- Two keys attached to a metal pear-shaped fob stamped with the number “6”
- Handkerchiefs
- A blue comb
- A disposable lighter
- Two copper coins
- Two Ladbrokes betting shop pens
Investigators are particularly keen to hear from anyone who lived or worked in the Lichfield area during the spring of 1987.
They are asking whether local residents recognise the man’s description, clothing, tie, keyring or personal belongings. Appeals have also been made to people who walked dogs in Coronation Wood at the time, visited local Ladbrokes betting shops, or owned farmland or property in the surrounding area where the man may have stayed.
Police are also interested in hearing from anyone who remembers a regular customer at local betting shops during the 1980s who later disappeared or was reported missing.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Booker, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This man has remained unidentified for nearly four decades and that is something we are determined to change. Someone somewhere knew him – as a friend, a colleague, neighbour or family member.
“We are urging anyone who recognises the description, the clothing he was wearing, or the personal items found with him, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Even information that feels uncertain could help us finally establish who he was and provide answers after all these years.”
Mark Greenhalgh, Chief Executive of Locate International, added: “We believe everyone deserves to be reunited with their identity and to receive dignity in death. Even after almost 40 years, we remain hopeful that we can give Coronation Wood Man back his name.
“Even the smallest piece of information can help. It can confirm something we already knew or provide a crucial new direction for the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting crime reference 147 of 12/05/2026.