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The inquest into the identity of a man whose body was found in Powys two years ago has revealed new insights that challenge earlier assumptions about his ethnicity. Initially believed to be white, forensic analysis now suggests he “may not have been of white ethnicity,” according to forensic orthodontist Dr Sally Andrew. The man was discovered in October 2024 at Claerwen Reservoir near Rhayader by a dogwalker. At the time, he was wearing an open water swimming wetsuit, commonly used by triathletes and open water swimmers.
Despite extensive efforts, including an international police appeal and the use of advanced facial reimaging technologies, the man’s identity and the circumstances surrounding his death remain unresolved. Coroner Patricia Morgan has instructed investigators to examine a liver sample collected two years prior but never tested, hoping that this investigation might provide further clues. It was noted during the inquest that the body may have been submerged for over three months before recovery, and tests could determine whether death occurred prior to or following his entry into the water.
Detective Inspector Anthea Ponting spoke remotely during the inquest, explaining that while police ran the man’s DNA through official databases, they did not initially use commercial DNA sites that many use for genealogical research. The reason was concerns over the potentially overwhelming number of matches requiring significant resources to review. “We were advised we could have results into the thousands. The NCA (National Crime Agency) said they could filter them,” she said. However, the force prioritized facial recognition technology, hoping for a quicker identification.
Initial investigations had suggested the deceased was a white European male, aged between 30 and 60, approximately six feet tall and weighing between 202 and 220 pounds (91.5 to 99.5 kilograms). An examination of a tag on the wetsuit suggested there could have been a name, but attempts to enhance the unclear markings were unsuccessful. The inquest was adjourned pending the results from the liver sample analysis, which may shed more light on the cause of death and identity of the man
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