Could nurses hold the key to missing persons cold cases?

Nurses could hold the key to solving the mystery of a 34-year-old cold case, which could potentially help reunite an unidentified man with his name and provide solace to his loved ones. 

In spring 1990, the skeletal remains of a man were found in Deepdene Woods in Surrey by a dog walker and his identity has never been established. 

However, due to clues found with ‘Deepdene man’ as he is known, investigators believe that he could have been a patient at Netherne Hospital and are appealing for nurses who may have worked there to come forward to help with their investigations. 

The mystery is one of a number of cases of missing or unidentified people which missing person charity Locate International is attempting to resolve. The charity takes on cold cases that otherwise would not receive attention, with teams of volunteer sleuths meeting to identify unknown people and give them back their names.

On this episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, two of the charity’s volunteers – Roland Hughes and Jess Halsey – discuss how nurses may be able to play a part in solving this case and other mysteries.

‘St Helier woman’: depiction of an unidentified woman who died in St Helier Hospital in 2006 Picture: Hew Morrison

Mr Hughes and Ms Halsey also appeal for help in a case of an unidentified woman who died soon after being found outside St Helier Hospital in south London in 2006. 

They tell Nursing Standard features editor and podcast host Alistair Mason why nurses could be particularly useful in resolving these cases.

‘We are aware that people who work in nursing and the medical professions will have dealt with these cases in the first place. People within these professions have a knowledge that is unique and they can really help us,’ says Mr Hughes.

They are particularly keen on hearing from people who might have worked at these hospitals at the time of the .

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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