As recently as 2015, and as long ago as 1967, the UK Missing Persons Unit has kept an active list of bodies and remains found across the United Kingdom that haven't been identified. Many of them come with details of injuries, estimates of how old the person was when they died, and items that were recovered near the bodies.
Some even have images of what the person's face probably looked like when they were alive. The incredible science available to the Missing Persons Unit means that even by looking at skeletal remains of a body, it's possible to know if the person had certain health conditions, in what years they were likely to have had dentistry work carried out, and much more - but these bodies still haven't been linked to a specific person.
If you recognise any of them, the Missing Persons Unit will want to hear from you to help identify them. You can get more local news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Scroll down for the full list of unidentified bodies in Wales, as found on the Missing Persons Unit website. Warning: this article includes simulated photos of the deceased's faces, and details of circumstances of death:
Man, older than 54, with 'decomposed' clothes in Denbighshire
The skeletal remains of this man were discovered at Clocaenog Forest, near Corwen, Denbighshire, on November 14, 2015. It is believed that the body was at the location for several years and that the man was over 54 years old, likely in his 60s.
Between 5'8" and 5'10" tall, with a "stocky" build, his ethnicity was unknown. The dentistry in his body showed works typical of those carried out in the UK between 1980 and 2000, and he suffered from arthritis and an inflammatory joint condition which would've likely given him pain and reduced movement.
He'd previously suffered a spine injury and possibly an injury to his left wrist, and a broken nose. He was found near a "badly decomposed" pair of M&S underpants and a dark green jumper, which may have belonged to him.
Man, 50-60, found in a river near Capel Curig
This man's body was found in a river near Capel Curig, Conwy, and he had died of hypothermia. He was aged between 50 and 60, and identified as white European, 6'0" tall. His body was found on May 23, 2011, and it was estimated that he died the previous day.
He had a full beard, short brown hair and blue eyes, with a skin pigmentation disorder which was noticeable on his face, neck, hands, arms and lower limbs. He was wearing blue jeans, a purple round-necked sweatshirt and a brown fleece jacket.
Man found in a self-made hide in woodland
The body of this man, aged between 45 and 65, was found in woodland at Pentre Mawr Colliery, Carmarthenshire, on February 5, 2006. It appeared he had been living in a self-made hide in the area. With a medium build, between 5'6" and 5'8", the man had a full beard and was lacking some teeth.
His eye colour was unknown but he was white European and wearing a long sleeve jumper, a jacket and trousers.
Man's body recovered from the sea in Pembrokeshire with walking boots
The body of this man was found in the sea approximately half a mile from the beach at St Margaret's Island, Pembrokeshire. His build was described as "fat," 5'10" tall, with an unknown ethnicity and aged between 30 and 70. His body was found on June 14, 2003, and he had short brown hear. He was wearing Salomon walking boots, blue canvas trousers and one woollen sock.
Man, 16-45, recovered from train platform
The body of a male, 5'6", between 16 and 45 years old was recovered from a train platform in Conwy on September 20, 2002. He was white European, thin, with dark brown short hair, and was wearing a grey hooded jumper and black trousers. In his pockets, he had £17.85 in cash, one pack of Richmond cigarettes and two plastic lighters.
Man, 40-60, found on Anglesey beach
This 40-60-year-old male's body was found washed ashore on Aberffraw Beach, Anglesey. He was 5'8" with a medium build, and his body was found on December 4, 2001.
Male, born in 1930s, found in Glenboi
This man was between 30 and 40 when he died (which was between 1960 and 1976). His remains were found some 25 years later, on September 24, 2001. A sculpture was made of what his face may have looked like when he was alive. He was between 4'11" and 5'4" when he died.
Man, 14-45, found washed ashore at Hells Mouth Beach
The remains of this man, who could have been any age between 14 and 45, were found washed ashore at Hells Mouth Beach, Porth Neigwl, Gwynedd. He was between 5'3" and 5'7" tall, ethnicity and eye colour unknown. He was wearing a shirt, a green sweatshirt, and a large "Headworx-HDX Surfwear" jumper.
Decomposed male body, 25-65, found in hiking hotspot
The body of a 25-65-year-old man, white European and between 5'8" and 6'0" with a medium build, was found on February 5, 2000. His decomposed body was found in Mynydd Fronfelin, Powys, in a wooded area commonly used by hikers.
He was wearing hiking gear including a cord jacket, a herringbone brown and white jumper, an anorak and Technica hiking boots. He had a silver Swatch bracelet watch, a series of maps, a compass and Karrimor rucksack in his possession, as well as Winston and Camel cigarettes and some books. The Missing Persons Unit specifically notes that this body was known not to be Mark Graeme Krostewitz.
Afro-Caribbean man, 20-30, found in Bristol Channel near Newport
This man's body was found in the Bristol Channel, near Newport, on February 14, 1988. He was of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity, aged between 20 and 30, 6'0" with a "stocky" build. He had short black hair and was carrying an A-Z street map opened on pages marked Bristol, but showing the Cheltenham area.
The Missing Persons Unit has a lot of detail on the clothes he was wearing .These included a Boys Own blue donkey jacket, faded blue Wrangler jeans, a large Tesco shirt, and an Amandla t-shirt with a motif of a raised fist holding a spear and the words "Cultural Ensemble of the National African Congress."
Woman aged 20-45 wearing gold and ruby jewellery
The decomposed body of a white European woman, aged between 20 and 45, was found on Musselwich Beach, Pembrokeshire, which was believed to have been in the water for several weeks or months. The woman, found on November 21, 1987, was wearing red nail varnish on her toes, and was between 5'4" and 5'6" tall.
She was wearing Steer jeans, a striped green sweatshirt and green and red flower-patterned socks. She was wearing two rings - one gold ring with a large red ruby stone, and one silver tarnished ring with a small red ruby stone.
Man, 35-45, found in river Usk
This man's body was found in the Usk in Newport on July 6, 1983. There were no apparent scars or marks on the body. The man was 5'8", white European, with light brown greying hair. His eyes were brown and he was wearing a navy Sleightex jumper, brown shoes, and blue or grey Finesse trousers. He had £33.69 in his possession.
Remains which could have been any age
The remains of this body, which were found decomposed in the sea off Llandudno, were believed to have been in the sea for three to four months. The person, believed to be white European, has their age marked on the Missing Persons website as "0-100." The person was of a "medium" build and was found wearing a maroon jacket, houndstooth patterned trousers, a Wrangler shirt, and brown leather shoes.
Middle-aged man's body found in Aberdyfi
This 55-60-year-old man's body was washed ashore on the beach at Aberdyfi on December 28, 1982. It's believed he was in the water for approximately three weeks.
Exactly 5'10" tall and white European, the man had a surgical scar on his neck. The records this far back are slightly vague, so it's not clear whether he was "lacking false teeth," or "lacking teeth," and found with false teeth. He also had an "unspecified peculiarity" on his chest, was wearing a vest, a grey jumper, blue trousers and brown leather moccasins. He was also found with a black watch.
Man wearing a rucksack in Holyhead
The body of a man wearing a rucksack was recovered from the sea at Holyhead, Anglesey, on May 30, 1982. White European, he was between 6'0" and 6'2" with a large build and short black hair.
He was wearing a blue overcoat and what appeared to be a blue Berghaus body warmer, as well as blue jeans, red socks and calf length boots. He also had a blue crew neck jumper, a grey C&A jumper, and a blue and yellow tartan shirt. He was wearing a leather woven belt and a blue kagoul. As well as his rucksack, the Missing Persons Unit said he had "Pondersa Camp Trail Badges" on his person.
Man found in a shallow grave near road in underwear
This man's body was found in a shallow grave near a lay-by on the A525 near the Hucan Cement Works in Ruthin, on August 21, 1981. He was believed to have been dead for approximately six to 12 months. He was 5'8", white European and at least 60 years old, with brown greying hair. He was found wearing red underpants.
Woman whose remains had been in the sea for a year
The remains of a white European woman, aged 40-50, were found 15 miles off the coast of Llandudno on January 2, 1980. She was believed to have been in the water for a year or more, was between 5'2" and 5'5" with a medium build, and had a surgical scar on her abdomen. She was wearing light coloured trousers, nylon tights, and red underwear with blue and yellow spots.
Skeleton of man with a Bible that had a South African address in it
The skeletal remains of this man were found on a mountainside in Resolven on December 9, 1979. The man's right leg was fused, meaning it couldn't have bent at the knee, and he would have walked with a limp.
Several possessions were found near the body, including a New Testament Bible with the name 'D MALAN' and a PO Box address for Randeburg, Johannesburg, South Africa written inside. He also had a South African Airways timetable, a map of south Wales and the west of England, and headed notepaper from the Sheriton Heathrow Hotel.
He was between 5'7" and 5'9" and had short grey hair. He would have been between 40 and 60 years old, and was white European. He was wearing grey trousers, a blue shirt, a beige jumper and size 8 shoes.
Man with no teeth found in south Wales
The body of a man, aged 45-60, was found on the beach in Neath Port Talbot on August 15, 1979. He had "mousey" greying hair and no teeth. He was white European, 5'8" and his body was found washed up on the beach.
He was wearing a white and brown checked shirt, a black leather belt, a black and blue tie, and Consulate brand shoes with woollen socks.
Man with Woolworths receipts and distinctive tattoos and marks
This man's body was found floating in the Bristol Channel near Penarth, near the multi-storey car park which has now been demolished. The Missing Persons Unit provides a good amount of detail on his body, including a vertical operation scar below his navel, a tattoo that looked like a mathematical division symbol on his left wrist, two warts below his left shoulder blade on his back, and a burn on his right hand.
He was clean shaven, had brown greying hair, and was found on May 24, 1979 - which is also his estimated date of death. He also had two receipts dated the same day for purchases from Woolworths in Neath and Cardiff. He was 5'10", white European and thin, between 60 and 70 years old. He was wearing a dark green checked jacket, a black waistcoat and dark blue studded shirt with a white and blue collar. He was also wearing a red tie, green combat trousers, black socks and shoes. It's unclear whether he was found with false teeth, or missing false teeth.
Skull found near Douglas Head
The skull of this man, estimated to be between 50 and 70 years old, was found on December 5, 1978 off Douglas Head, in Liverpool Bay. It's believed his death had occurred in the past year.
Woman dressed for swimming who had been in the water for weeks
A woman's body was found on June 28, 1978 one mile from the shore of Barmouth, Gwynedd. It's believed she had been in the water for two to three weeks, and she was wearing a floral swimsuit with a navy and white pattern. She was white European, believed to be 55 years old, and between 4'11" and 5'6".
Man whose face was sketched after he was found in the Severn Estuary
This man, between 20 and 50 years old, was found in the Severn Estuary at Redwick, Monmouthshire. He was white European, 6'0", thin with black receding hair. He was found on February 26, 1977, wearing blue jeans, slip-on shoes and light socks.
A light grey v-neck jumper was found near the body, with a brown leather wallet made in England containing bank notes, two Yale keys, a Dominion lock and a pair of scissors.
Man with 'large hands and ears' with nicotine stains on hand
The body of this man, between 40 and 60 years old, was found in the sea at Porthcawl. He was believed to be white skinned, with "large hands and ears" and receding black-grey hair. He was found on September 28, 1976, and had a medium build.
He had some distinguishing features, including nicotine stains on his right fore and middle fingers, and missing front upper and lower teeth. The remainder of his teeth were intact and he had no apparent dental treatment.
Skeletal remains found at Capel Curig
The skeletal remains of a man, aged 45-60, were found near the A5 at Capel Curig, Conwy. It's believed he was dead for between six and nine months before he was found and the notes say he was "believed to have been a vagrant."
He was found on September 16, 1975. He had blonde curly hair and a full beard, was white European and 6'0" with a medium build. He was wearing blue trousers with grey trousers underneath, a brown jacket and jumper, a cotton and a nylon shirt, two pairs of socks and "sacking material" around his feet. His clothes were described as "poor quality."
Man with pendant of two boys found at the bottom of a cliff
The body of a man, found at the bottom of cliffs at Holyhead, was discovered on September 15, 1975. It's believed that he was dead for between four to seven days. He had brown, receding hair, brown eyes and a moustache.
He was white European, between 45 and 60 years old, and 5'8" with a medium build. He had a surgical scar on his left hip, and was wearing a 3/4 length overcoat, brown shoes, black jeans with a leather belt, and a maroon jumper, purple vest, multicoloured socks and a sports jacket with a "H Desvignes" label.
He was wearing a gold chain with a pendant of two boys back to back in a circle. He was also carrying a brown wallet, some bank notes, and a plastic lighter.
Woman with 'Catholic rosary' found on beach
The body of a white European woman, between 25 and 40 years old, was washed ashore on Treath Gwyn Beach, Ceredigion, on October 23, 1974. It's believed that she was in the water for at least seven days and her feet were calloused when she was washed up.
She was 5'6" with a medium build and was wearing a blue jumper with a red slip, lace-up shoes marked "Rustlers," which were made in Poland, brown trousers and tights and underwear. She had a gold watch on her preson with a necklace that was "probably a Catholic rosary."
Man in Bristol Channel
A man, 30-60 years old, was found in the Bristol Channel at Goldcliffe, Monmouthshire, after being in the water for approximately nine to 18 months on May 6, 1973. He was white European, and between 5'6" and 6'0" tall.
Man on foreshore of Severn Estuary
This man was found on the foreshore of the Severn Estuary, Rogiet, Monmouthshire. It's believed he was in the water for 18 months or "possibly longer," and was found on March 31, 1971. He was white European, between 25 and 35 years old, and 5'8" with black, curly hair. He had an "unspecified peculiarity" on his scalp, and was wearing one black sock and a black, gold and white Spinney polo neck jumper.
Man found in private woodland near Bangor
The body of this man, aged 20 to 30, was found in a private woodland on the outskirts of Bangor on May 10, 1970. He was between 5'4" and 5'6", with a medium build and was white European.
He was wearing a blue overcoat and green Manapparel coat. He was also wearing a dark blue Alexander suit, green jumper, blue shirt, brown suede Vacon buits and a peaked Falcon Headwear cap.
Man with 'only one tooth in upper jaw' found in derelict building
This man's body was found in a derelict building on December 22, 1967. He had a full beard, long black hair, brown eyes and only one tooth in his upper jaw. His ethnicity is described as "dark European," he was estimated to be 50 years old and was 5'6" with a medium build.
He was wearing two navy blue donkey jackets, brown trousers, a vest, a brown tie and one sandal.
If you think you know who any of these people are, you can find their individual pages on the Missing Persons Unit website and fill in the form marked "I may know this person."
Please be warned that behind the "sensitive image" warnings on some of these pages, there are case images of what appear to be the bodies of these people, which some may find extremely distressing. There are also more specific references to the circumstances of some of the deaths.
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