Sligo Man
A body found on a beach. A man using a fake address. A mystery caught on CCTV. After more than 14 years, the identity of Sligo Man has still never been confirmed.
Living Depiction by Hew Morrison©
We are hopeful that one person somewhere in Germany or Austria has information that may help him be reunited with his name. Can you, or someone you know, answer one of the seven key questions below?
The body of the man, thought to be in his 50s or 60s, was found at Rosses Point beach near Sligo, on Ireland’s west coast, on 16 June 2009.
Police learned he had booked into a Sligo hotel with no ID, but using the name Peter Bergmann. When police investigated the address he had given – in Vienna, Austria – they found it to be false.
Description:
Height 178cm (5ft 10”)
Slim build
Grey hair
Blue eyes
The man had a distinctive gold tooth. He spoke with what witnesses described as a German or Austrian accent. Notably, medical examination revealed that he had only one kidney and had previously suffered multiple heart attacks.
At the time of his death, he was in the late stages of terminal prostate cancer, which had spread to his lungs, chest, and bones. Despite his condition, the immediate cause of death was a heart attack.
Timeline
12th June 2009 – He checked into the Sligo City Hotel. Paid cash for a 3-night stay. Gave a home address in Austria, which turned out to be false and a name which appears to have been an alias.
13th June 2009 – Seen multiple times on CCTV leaving the hotel carrying a full purple plastic carrier bag. Each time he returned, the bag was missing. He appeared to be purposefully avoiding CCTV while walking around town. On this same day he is known to have purchased 10 stamps and airmail stickers from the local Post Office.
14th June – Took a taxi to Rosses Point beach, just 5.4 miles from Sligo. He told the driver he was looking for a place to swim.
15th June – Returned to the beach by bus. Seen walking along the beach by multiple witnesses.
16th June – His body was found on the beach. Autopsy confirmed death by heart attack. No ID was found and all labels had been removed from his clothing.
Clothing and Possessions
Appeal Video
Watch the CCTV footage below – do you recognise him or his walk, build, or mannerisms?
Questions you can ask yourself
Ask yourself these questions, or pass them on to someone who might know the answer:
Does the false address – Ainstettersn 15, Wien 4472 – mean anything to you?
Did you receive a letter from Sligo in Ireland at around this time, or do you know someone who did?
Did you train for the police, military, German NVA, or intelligence services with someone who looked like him?
If you were a dentist and gave someone a gold tooth before 2009, could this be the man? If so, what do you remember about him?
Did you treat him or anyone who matches his description for cancer in the late 2000s?
Do you know anyone from Germany or Austria who ever had a connection with Sligo, Derry, or the west coast of Ireland?
Did you know anyone who suddenly disappeared, or you lost contact with, who looks like him?
Do you recognise the clothing, particularly the Tommy Hilfiger sleeveless jumper, the black C&A leather jacket or the Finn Comfort shoes?
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.