Wark Forest Man
Can you help us identify a man whose body was discovered by a forestry worker in Wark Forest, Northumberland, 35 years ago?
Living depiction showing ‘Wark Forest Man’ in a blue denim jacket
A man’s body was discovered by a forestry worker in Wark Forest, Northumberland, on 2nd February 1990. Now, 35 years later, his identity remains a mystery, but the volunteer-run charity, that looks into cold cases of missing and unidentified bodies, is releasing a new living depiction of the man to try and identify him.
The unidentified man is believed to have been between 20 and 40 years old, 5’6”–5’8” in height, and of medium build. At the time, he was described as having a “dark European ethnicity” and is thought to have died between four and 12 months before his body was found.
Soon after his body was discovered, a facial reconstruction was widely shared in newspapers, and a potential lead emerged from a hotel worker in Haltwhistle, Northumberland. She believed the image bore a resemblance to a former guest named Christopher Oliver, an American-accented man in his late 30s who had checked into the Bowes Hotel on 14th October 1989. A book found near the body appeared to match one missing from the hotel.
A newspaper report at the time suggested that Wark Forest Man may have been the same Christopher Oliver who had gone on to stay at a hotel in Haltwhistle on 18th October 1989, with further records indicating a booking under the same name at Hexham Tourist Information Centre. However, his movements after this point remain unknown.
Clothing:
Wark Forest Man was wearing outdoor clothing, including:
a green ‘Vander’ anorak
a ‘Lee’ denim jacket
Hi-Tec brown walking boots (left size 8, right size 8.5)
Possessions:
Among the possessions found near him were:
a blue backpack with a green base containing two blue nylon ropes
two finger bandages
a grey torch and two half-litre bottles: one with water and one with whiskey. (A post-mortem examination could not find a cause of death, but did find he had an enlarged yellow liver, indicating he may have had an alcohol dependence.)
A book entitled ‘A History of London’ by Robert Gray
a Swiss Army knife
an afro comb
a brown money belt
camping equipment
a blue/black holdall bag was found with blue jeans, black running shorts, white Y fronts, Vicks sinex spray, and a colmaster bush hat inside.
Living depiction showing ‘Wark Forest Man’ in a green anorak
Why Reappeal Now?
Locate International is urging anyone who may recognise the name Christopher Oliver or the description of Wark Forest Man to come forward.
If alive now, Wark Forest Man would be between 55 and 75 years old. While it is not too late to identify him – and we have received leads in the past on even older cases – the window to do so is narrowing.
This case matters because every person deserves to be known and remembered. No one should remain a mystery in death, and by identifying Wark Forest Man, we can provide the dignity and respect to which every individual is entitled.
Questions you can ask yourself
Think back to 1978 and where you were at that time, and who you knew. You truly may be able to help - please consider our questions.
Who could you ask that might be able to help?
Share these questions with your family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours.
1. Do you remember someone fitting this description in the Northumberland area, around 1990?
2. Did you stay in or near Bowes Hotel on or around 14th October 1989? Do you recognise him, or did you speak with him?
3. Do you remember anybody with a North American accent travelling around Northumberland at the time?
4. Did you maybe drive a taxi, or know someone who did, at the time and could you have picked him up?
5. Did you work at Hexham Tourist Information Centre, or do you know someone that did?
6. Does he remind you of someone you once knew, and have now lost touch with?
7. Does the name Christopher Oliver mean anything to you?
Do you have information?
There is always hope, and you could be the person that makes the difference.
No matter how seemingly small the information you have, it really may be the answer we need. Information provided can be submitted anonymously, and submissions will be treated in confidence. Everything we receive will be reviewed by our dedicated team of volunteers. Please do not use this form for emergency assistance in locating a person. Please call 999.