The Gentleman of Heligoland

The Gentleman of Heligoland is the nickname of an unidentified decedent whose body was found in the waters off Heligoland in 1994.[1][2][3]

Discovery

A border guard boat retrieved the body on 11 July 1994, 20 km (12 mi) off the west side of Heligoland.[1][2][3] Police believe that the body may have travelled some distance in the water.[1][2][3]

Investigation

An autopsy in 1994 showed that the deceased had suffered blunt violence to his head and upper body while he was still alive.[1][2][3] His height was 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm)[1][2][3] He was nicknamed "The Gentleman" because he was smartly dressed.[1][2][3]

Exhumation

In December 2021 the body was exhumed and DNA extracted to compare against databases of known samples.[1][2][3] Researchers at Staffordshire University and Plymouth Marjon University are working with the German Police Academy of Lower Saxony and Locate International to identify him.[1][2][3]

2022 appeal

In February 2022 police released a photofit and new information on the deceased as part of an appeal to the media to identify him.[1][2][3] It was revealed that his tie was made by Marks & Spencer for English and French language markets, which included Canada at the time.[1][2][3]

It was also revealed that his body had two cast iron shoe lasts attached to it.[1][2][3] Each weighed 3 kilograms (6.6 lb), were based on female feet and bore the initials AJK, the trademark of AJ Jackson in Bristol.[1][2][3]

Police also wished to dispel the notion that the man was wealthy, as the tie had been manufactured in large numbers and the shoes had been repaired and may have been secondhand.[1]

As of 28 April 2022 the police had received over 50 pieces of information since the appeal.[1][2][3]

References
  1. Oltermann, Philip (2022-04-28). "M&S tie and metal shoe lasts: new clues in cold case of 'the Gentleman'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  2. McInnes, Kathie (2022-02-08). "Bid to identify 'murder victim' known as The Gentleman found dead at sea 28 years ago". Stoke-On-Trent Live. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  3. "Goldsmiths College appeal for help in trying to solve mystery and identity of a murdered body washed up on German coast more than 27 years ago". londonnewsonline.co.uk. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
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