Sam Mullins

Lacking readily available information from out in the world, the Devon Police naturally were very interested to learn if the results of the post-mortem had a story to tell.

Lacking readily available information from out in the world, the Devon Police naturally were very interested to learn if the results of the post-mortem had a story to tell.

The pathologists listed the body as male, 5'9", brown hair, receding, possibly in his 40s. Estimated time in the water? One week. Both noted the tattoo on his hand. But either because it was old or it warped in the seawater, neither pathologist could make out what the tattoo was of. There was bruising on the right hip and on the outside of the knee on the same side of the body.

The pathologists listed the body as male, 5'9", brown hair, receding, possibly in his 40s. Estimated time in the water? One week. Both noted the tattoo on his hand. But either because it was old or it warped in the seawater, neither pathologist could make out what the tattoo was of. There was bruising on the right hip and on the outside of the knee on the same side of the body.

But it wasn't obvious when the bruising occurred. One thing that was obvious, though.

But it wasn't obvious when the bruising occurred. One thing that was obvious, though.

And as for the gash on the back of the head, while the first pathologist thought it consistent with being trawled along the seabed and the roughs, the other advised that it was inconclusive what had caused the gash and that they should keep an open mind. But really, there wasn't anything new to go on after the autopsy.

And as for the gash on the back of the head, while the first pathologist thought it consistent with being trawled along the seabed and the roughs, the other advised that it was inconclusive what had caused the gash and that they should keep an open mind. But really, there wasn't anything new to go on after the autopsy.

And after devoting police resources for a few weeks, it felt like it was time to scale down the effort. If no one cared enough about whoever this poor soul was to come forward with new information, there was little more the cops could do. This was looking like it would be recorded forever as an unidentified person.

And after devoting police resources for a few weeks, it felt like it was time to scale down the effort. If no one cared enough about whoever this poor soul was to come forward with new information, there was little more the cops could do. This was looking like it would be recorded forever as an unidentified person.

And that would have been the end of it. But it wasn't. Because I'm telling you, luck or something like it was leading them somewhere. The thing that saved this person from being forever unknown came in the form of a suggestion, really, from one of the staff members of the coroner. A casual suggestion that might sound familiar to you.

And that would have been the end of it. But it wasn't. Because I'm telling you, luck or something like it was leading them somewhere. The thing that saved this person from being forever unknown came in the form of a suggestion, really, from one of the staff members of the coroner. A casual suggestion that might sound familiar to you.

Because one of the two men in the autopsy, Robin Little, had a chance conversation with a friend just afterwards.

Because one of the two men in the autopsy, Robin Little, had a chance conversation with a friend just afterwards.

Oh sure, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea when the coroner officer says it.

Oh sure, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea when the coroner officer says it.

No one who handled the watch saw the serial number at first because it's only visible when you take the pin out of the band to expose the side of the casing. So Robin Little sent the watch to Rolex.

No one who handled the watch saw the serial number at first because it's only visible when you take the pin out of the band to expose the side of the casing. So Robin Little sent the watch to Rolex.

Curiously, Harrogate is about the opposite end of England from where the body was found. Devon is down in the southwest, and Harrogate is way up in the central north.

Curiously, Harrogate is about the opposite end of England from where the body was found. Devon is down in the southwest, and Harrogate is way up in the central north.