Mystery of man found dead on River Thames over 40 years ago remains as new image shared to help identify him

Mystery of man found dead on River Thames over 40 years ago remains as new image shared to help identify him The unidentified man, who became known as Barnes Bridge Man, was believed to be around 35 when he died, with investigators now revisiting clues found alongside him in the hope someone could help identify him A new image has been released in a fresh bid to identify a mystery man found dead on the River Thames more than 40 years ago. The man, who became known as Barnes Bridge Man, was discovered on the north shore of the Thames near Barnes Bridge in south-west London on September 6, 1983. More than four decades later, his identity has remained a mystery. Cold case organisation Locate International has now launched a renewed appeal after forensic artist Hew Morrison created a new “living depiction” of the man in the hope someone may recognise him. Barnes Bridge Man was believed to have been around 35 when he died. He had ginger hair, long sideburns and blue eyes and was around 5ft 5in tall with a stocky build. A post-mortem examination found blunt force trauma injuries and abrasions to both hands. An open verdict was later recorded, with marks on his body suggesting he may have been involved in an altercation shortly before entering the river. Locate International said he was thought to have been in the water for only a short time before being washed downstream towards Barnes Bridge. Investigators have since revisited evidence shared by UK policing as they search for clues which could finally establish who he was. Although the original National Crime Agency file contains few details about his clothing or belongings, jewellery found on his body has prompted investigators to explore possible links to London’s Irish community or Irish Travellers. Among the items were two rings and a Claddagh pendant - the traditional Irish design of two hands holding a crowned heart, symbolising love, friendship and loyalty. Investigators said the pendant was particularly popular among Irish men from the Traveller community during the 1980s. A distinctive Telstar watch was also recovered from the body. The make was widely manufactured and sold in Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s. Hew Morrison created the new image using the original autopsy photograph and sketches, working around the poor quality of the material to build a picture of how the man could have appeared in life. Now, investigators hope that it will jog the memories of former friends, colleagues or family. He said: “During the process of creating the living depiction of this man, I had to take into consideration post-mortem changes to his facial appearance, the angle that he had been photographed at, poor lighting and the overall quality and resolution of the image-which had been photographed with a grainy, black and white camera film. Numerous stock images of human faces were used to develop the head and each individual facial feature. "Once the appropriate features were selected, they were modified to match the facial features of the unknown man. Digital drawing and painting were applied to adjust the tone of all of these elements before being morphed together to complete the facial image.” Dr Mark Greenhalgh, CEO of Locate said: “This striking new image and the detailed work of our investigation team provides a real opportunity for someone to put a name to Barnes Bridge Man after almost 43 years. Someone out there, an old friend, workmate or distant family member could see this forensic reconstruction and help us bring closure to this cold case.’