Case of mystery man’s decomposed body found in bag baffles police almost a decade on

It’s hoped a 3D virtual sculpture and digital forensic facial reconstruction will help identify a man whose decomposed body was discovered in a bag on the NSW Far North Coast almost a decade ago.

The cotton-fibre style bag holding his remains was found on the banks of the Tweed River at Tumbulgum, about 10km east of Murwillumbah, by a member of the public on November 24, 2012.

See how police reconstructed the man’s face in the video above

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A post mortem found the remains belonged to a Caucasian man aged between 50 to 70 who wore dentures, was 163cm tall with a thin build and grey hair tied in a ponytail with a blue band.

The post mortem was unable to determine the cause of death.

An inquest in 2013 concluded the man could not be identified, and the date, place, manner and cause of his death were a mystery.

Detectives have worked with forensic experts to conduct a range of DNA tests, including phenotyping, which involves using genetic sequencing to predict a person’s physical characteristics.

Last year, investigators engaged a forensic artist from the University of Dundee, Scotland, to construct a 3D virtual sculpture and digital forensic facial reconstruction.

To coincide with National Missing Persons Week, investigators have released the reconstructions showing what the man may have looked like.

Detective Chief Inspector Brendon Cullen is hoping someone may recognise the man.

“This kind of technology allows us to apply all the scientific and DNA analysis, which we have obtained so far, and piece together the most accurate depiction of this man’s appearance,” he said on Wednesday.

“We have no doubt there are friends and family members somewhere around Australia who have a relative or loved one who just vanished - perhaps they weren’t listed as a missing person at the time. Maybe they are someone who you lost contact with in the early 2010s.

“Any piece of information which could help us find out who he is will help us establish his links, his history, his associates, and ultimately determine the circumstances surrounding his death.”