Headless man's body is identified

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An inquest has identified a man whose dismembered body was found in a nature reserve on Anglesey four years ago.

Donald Harper from Nantwich, Cheshire, was 64 years old when he was last seen alive in 2001. His remains were found by children in a disused building.

The North West Wales coroner named him on the "balance of probability" after police and forensic work.

His family said afterwards they had "closure" on his disappearance, and they could now have a funeral.

The inquest at Llangefni heard Mr Harper's remains were discovered in a disused building at Penrhos coastal park near Holyhead on 4 January, 2005.

At the time inquiries to find his identity drew a blank.

He was a wanderer, but he usually surfaced, but he didn't this time Gordon Harper, brother

In December last year however Cheshire constabulary reopened a missing persons case into Mr Harper.

Their inquiries showed that he had taken money out of the bank in Holyhead, when he was last heard of in June 2001.

Mr Harper was unmarried and had no children, so DNA samples were obtained from his surviving siblings.

Dr Timothy Clayton a consultant forensic scientist told the inquest he was not able to "confirm or deny" the DNA link, because only a partial DNA profile was obtained.

But there was a similarity in DNA between Mr Harper and family members tested.

Head injury

Forensic pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said the headless torso had been discovered by children, aged 11 and nine, who were looking for a place to build a den.

The head was found later, as it had dropped off due to decomposition, he added.

There were no fractures, and although items of clothing remained, there were no personal effects.

Inside the skull however there was the remains of a blood clot, which he may well have suffered during a fall.

"He may well have suffered a fall and knocked his head," he said.

He then climbed into the shelter possibly in a "confused" state and died sitting on benches inside.

Funeral

"On the balance of probability he was living rough," he added.

North West Wales coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones praised the police for reopening the file to revisit the case.

He said although the DNA evidence was "not conclusive", when it was added to the post mortem results, and the police inquiries it pointed to Mr Harper.

"My view is that it is more than likely that the remains found were those of Mr Harper," he said.

Mr Jones recorded the cause of death as subdural haemorrhage consistent with a fall, but recorded an open verdict as there was no evidence to explain how it happened.

"It is an unusual case but it shows modern science works to provide answers," he added.

Speaking after the verdict Gordon Harper, Mr Harper's eldest surviving brother, said the inquest had given the family "closure".

"It means we can now arrange a funeral, and that is being done," he said.

Mr Harper described his brother as a "terrific fellow", who who made many friends.

"He was a wanderer, but he usually surfaced, but he didn't this time," he said.

The family found it difficult and "surreal" that he had died by himself in the derelict building, he added.

"Although we knew (what happened) it was very hard to hear about his death, dying there alone," he said.