Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Police renew appeals to identify body found in Thames in 2013

The man was described as black, middle-aged and of large build.

Harry Stedman
Saturday 26 August 2023 03:35 EDT
An e-fit image was released to show the man’s likeness (Metropolitan Police/PA)
An e-fit image was released to show the man’s likeness (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police have renewed calls for information on a body found 10 years ago that is yet to be formally identified.

Metropolitan Police were called to Bankside Pier in Southwark on August 26 2013 following reports a member of the public had seen a man’s body in the River Thames.

The body was recovered by the marine policing unit and pronounced dead at the scene.

Despite a media appeal and the release of an e-fit, the man was not identified at the time.

Although not everyone has, or remains in contact with, a family, I still remain hopeful that someone will come forward and tell us who he was

Detective Inspector Adrian Smith

Described as black, aged between 40 and 50, of large build and balding with dark hair at the sides, the man also had a beard and moustache.

He was fully clothed in a dark blue fleece, beige shirt, two pairs of dark trousers and brown “Aboutblu” trainers.

Detective Inspector Adrian Smith, from the central south basic command unit, which covers Southwark, said: “Today marks the 10th anniversary of this man being found in the river. Sadly, he remains unidentified.

“Although not everyone has, or remains in contact with, a family, I still remain hopeful that someone will come forward and tell us who he was. Someone must have wondered where he had gone and what had happened to him.

“It’s possible that they didn’t see our previous appeals, so I would ask that you take a look at the e-fit that we have re-released, and let us know if you remember him.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the central south missing persons unit on 0208 649 2152 or via 101 quoting reference 13FOU007742, or officers can be emailed via: ASMailbox.SafeguardingMISPER@met.police.uk

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in