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Mystery of body found with sock and headphones in mouth on Cornwall beach Police baffled at mystery of Alan Jeal – the man found on a Cornwall beach with sock and headphones in his mouth
(about 4 hours later)
Police in Cornwall are trying to solve the mystery of a man found dead on a beach naked, with Apple earphones and a rolled-up sock in his mouth.Police in Cornwall are trying to solve the mystery of a man found dead on a beach naked, with Apple earphones and a rolled-up sock in his mouth.
Alan Jeal’s body was found on the popular Perranporth beach three months ago by a man who was walking his dog.Alan Jeal’s body was found on the popular Perranporth beach three months ago by a man who was walking his dog.
The 64-year-old was only wearing socks and one walking shoe and had multiple injuries to his chest, head and hand, as well as significant internal injuries.The 64-year-old was only wearing socks and one walking shoe and had multiple injuries to his chest, head and hand, as well as significant internal injuries.
Although there were signs of possible drowning, the cause of his death has not been confirmed.Although there were signs of possible drowning, the cause of his death has not been confirmed.
Mr Jeal's sister, Linda Danielis, said she was desperate to know how her brother died and appealed for help from the public.Mr Jeal's sister, Linda Danielis, said she was desperate to know how her brother died and appealed for help from the public.
“It is difficult to imagine anyone would have envied anything that he had, except possibly for a few special mineral exhibits which illustrated a previous passion in geology and mining,” she said.“It is difficult to imagine anyone would have envied anything that he had, except possibly for a few special mineral exhibits which illustrated a previous passion in geology and mining,” she said.
“Alan was frequently a watcher and reflective thinker and was not the sort of person people always noticed.”“Alan was frequently a watcher and reflective thinker and was not the sort of person people always noticed.”
She said the family were shocked by the sudden death.She said the family were shocked by the sudden death.
The man's body was found washed up naked on Perranporth beach in Cornwall She added: "Clearly I never said goodbye or gave him a final treat of any kind.The man's body was found washed up naked on Perranporth beach in Cornwall She added: "Clearly I never said goodbye or gave him a final treat of any kind.
"If something happened at the end where he needed help and support I was not there to help."If something happened at the end where he needed help and support I was not there to help.
"I want to wake up and think it is all a nightmare but realise it is not and there is no happy ending."I want to wake up and think it is all a nightmare but realise it is not and there is no happy ending.
"More than anything I want answers, realising that there is nothing I can do to bring him back.""More than anything I want answers, realising that there is nothing I can do to bring him back."
Her brother, Derek Jeal, described him as a man who never really went far from Cornwall and loved the outdoor life, particularly surfing.Her brother, Derek Jeal, described him as a man who never really went far from Cornwall and loved the outdoor life, particularly surfing.
He said the uncertainty over what happened is stopping his family finding any closure for their loss.He said the uncertainty over what happened is stopping his family finding any closure for their loss.
DCI Dave Thorne, the senior investigating officer, said: “There are still some gaps in the information we have about Alan and his last movements.DCI Dave Thorne, the senior investigating officer, said: “There are still some gaps in the information we have about Alan and his last movements.
“We are still treating his death as suspicious due to the extent of his injuries and the fact that he was found naked, with a sock and headphones in his mouth.“We are still treating his death as suspicious due to the extent of his injuries and the fact that he was found naked, with a sock and headphones in his mouth.
“There are a number of people we are keen to trace.”“There are a number of people we are keen to trace.”
He is believed to have got a bus from the Truro to Perranporth at around 6.50pm on 24 February.He is believed to have got a bus from the Truro to Perranporth at around 6.50pm on 24 February.
CCTV footage shows him waiting with three other people at a bus stop but they have not been traced.CCTV footage shows him waiting with three other people at a bus stop but they have not been traced.
The raincoat he was wearing at the time has not been found and many of his belongings, including his bank card, credit card, phone, iPod shuffle and clothing are still missing.The raincoat he was wearing at the time has not been found and many of his belongings, including his bank card, credit card, phone, iPod shuffle and clothing are still missing.
Mr Jeal, who lived alone in Wadebridge, had recently purchased a 10kg weighted training vest and 2kg ankle weights that have not been found.Mr Jeal, who lived alone in Wadebridge, had recently purchased a 10kg weighted training vest and 2kg ankle weights that have not been found.
Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police are trying to establish whether they were bought for him to wear or whether he bought them for another reason such as a gift for someone else.Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police are trying to establish whether they were bought for him to wear or whether he bought them for another reason such as a gift for someone else.
One theory is that Mr Jeal may have entered the water towards Perran Sands however this has not been confirmed.One theory is that Mr Jeal may have entered the water towards Perran Sands however this has not been confirmed.
Police would like to speak to friends they believe he had in Plymouth and another in Redruth and anyone who interacted with him through online gaming.Police would like to speak to friends they believe he had in Plymouth and another in Redruth and anyone who interacted with him through online gaming.
DCI Thorne said: “There are lots of theories about how he may have died but we don’t know exactly what happened to him and we want to provide Mr Jeal’s family with some answers.”DCI Thorne said: “There are lots of theories about how he may have died but we don’t know exactly what happened to him and we want to provide Mr Jeal’s family with some answers.”
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA