Richmond Man
On 6 September 1983, the body of a man was found in Richmond, south-west London. More than four decades later, we still do not know his name.
We believe Richmond Man may have lived or worked in London and there are indications that he may have had Irish heritage or connections to the Irish community.
Someone may remember him.
Perhaps you worked alongside him. Perhaps he was a regular in your local pub, lived in your neighbourhood or attended your church. You may simply remember his face.
And somewhere, there may still be a family who have spent more than 40 years wondering what happened to someone they loved.
What we know
Date found: 6 September 1983
Location found: Richmond, London
Hair: Ginger, with a receding hairline
Facial hair: Moustache and sideburns
Possible heritage: Irish
Contemporary records, including the 1983 coroner's report, suggested that Richmond Man may have been of Irish descent. Some of the possessions found with him may also point towards an Irish connection.
His appearance was distinctive. He had ginger hair with a receding hairline, a moustache and sideburns, features which may help someone remember him today.
The Irish connection
Could Richmond Man have come to London from Ireland?
Among his possessions was a Claddagh medallion. The Claddagh - traditionally depicting a heart held by two hands and topped with a crown - has a strong association with Ireland and Irish identity.
Unlike the familiar Claddagh ring, Richmond Man wore the symbol as a medallion.
He also had a Telstar-branded watch, which investigators believe may provide another potential connection to Ireland.
These possessions do not prove that Richmond Man was Irish, but taken alongside observations recorded at the time of his death, they raise the possibility that he had Irish heritage, had lived in Ireland, or had connections to London's Irish community.
Do you remember a ginger-haired man with a moustache and sideburns who wore a Claddagh medallion?
A similar Claddagh medallion to what Richmond Man may have been wearing
Could he have come to London for work?
During the 20th century, many people left Ireland for Britain in search of employment and new opportunities, and London became home to a substantial Irish community.
Richmond Man may have been one of them.
If he had moved from Ireland to London, he may have worked alongside other Irish men and women, lived in shared accommodation, attended an Irish social club or church, or spent time in pubs popular with London's Irish community.
His life may have taken him through Richmond, Hammersmith, Putney, Fulham or elsewhere in south-west and west London.
More than 40 years have passed, so the people most likely to remember him may now be retired. Memories from former colleagues, neighbours, landlords, publicans, community members and friends could therefore be particularly important.
Think back to London in the early 1980s.
Richmond Man may have worked in construction, labouring or another industry employing people who had moved to London in search of work.
The coroner's report noted healed scratches or marks to his face. Their origin is unknown, but investigators have considered whether they could have resulted from boxing or previous altercations.
Was he known at a local boxing club?
Did you work alongside someone who looked like him?
Was there an Irish colleague, labourer or casual worker who suddenly disappeared from your workplace around 1983?
Even if you knew him only by a nickname or first name, we want to hear from you.
Could you have shared a drink with Richmond Man?
Think back to the pubs you visited in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Was there a ginger-haired Irish man with a receding hairline, moustache and sideburns who regularly drank there?
Was there someone everybody recognised, but few people knew particularly well?
Did a regular suddenly stop coming in during 1983?
A memory that once seemed insignificant could now help give Richmond Man his name back.
Questions you can ask yourself
We’re confident that after 40 years, Richmond Man’s identity can be found thanks to just one person with one piece of information.
You don't have to have known Richmond Man personally.
Perhaps your parent or grandparent worked with him. Maybe an older relative remembers his face. Perhaps you or someone you know has photographs from a workplace, pub, club or community gathering in which someone resembling him appears.
Please show them Richmond Man's image and ask.
More than four decades can make a memory feel uncertain but please don't let that stop you contacting us.
Even the smallest detail may hold real significance. If something about Richmond Man seems familiar - even if you're unsure why - we want to hear from you.
Information can be shared in confidence, and you can remain anonymous if you wish.
Did you work with this man in London in or before 1983?
Did you ever live with him or share accommodation with him?
Do you remember him from Richmond, Hammersmith, Putney or Fulham?
Was he a regular at an Irish pub, club or social gathering?
Was he part of London's Irish community?
Do you remember him from a Traveller or Gypsy community?
Did he attend your church or parish?
Do you recognise him from a boxing club?
Do you remember a man with ginger, receding hair, a moustache and sideburns who wore a Claddagh medallion?
Did someone you knew disappear or suddenly stop contacting friends, relatives or colleagues around 1983?
Do you have old workplace, pub, club or community photographs that might include him?
Did you know someone matching his appearance only by a first name or nickname?
You could be the person that makes the difference.
Even the smallest detail may hold real significance. If you know something, no matter how unsure you are, we want to hear from you. Information can be shared in confidence, and you can remain anonymous if you wish.
Every submission is carefully reviewed by our team of volunteers. This is a safe and confidential way to ensure your voice is heard.
We also welcome contact from anyone who may have previously tried to share information and felt it wasn’t fully considered, or would like to share it again. Please do not use this form for emergency assistance in locating a person. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.