Mystery of the 'unknown' man with a dragon tattoo

Inquest rules he died of hypothermia in February 2023

- Sentinel Reporter

A MAN who was found dead more than two years ago on a North Staffordshire industrial estate has still not been identified.

The man - who is believed to have been aged between 45 and 50 years old - was lying beneath undergrowth on Parkhouse Industrial Estate, Chesterton.

Two members of the public made the discovery on February 6, 2023, after conducting a health and safety inspection on one of the units on Rosevale Road.

Found behind the building’s rear fire exit was the body of a man who had undergone ‘advanced decomposition’.

The man - was wearing nothing but a white t-shirt, jeans and some black shoes. Two coats were found nearby.

The inquest heard that he was around 6ft tall and weighed 10.5 stone - although medical experts believe he may have weighed more before decomposition.

He had no ID on his person but he did have a distinctive dragon tattoo on his upper-left shoulder, right.

An inquest yesterday ruled that the man had died of hypothermia but the hearing was unable to shed any fresh light on the man’s identity.

Detective Sergeant Kate Gater, of Staffordshire Police's Criminal Investigations Department, told the inquest that investigations revealed there was nothing suspicious about the man's death.

She said: "A top-to-toe search of the deceased's body did not reveal ID of any kind.