"Bolney Torso" is the nickname given to a man whose partial remains was discovered near Bolney, West Sussex in 1991.
Case[]
On 11 October, 1991, the bloody remains of a man, including his torso, were found wrapped in carpet in woods near Broxmead Lane by a man who stopped to relieve himself. The man's head and parts of his arms had been removed, most likely with an axe or bolt cropper. One arm was cut above the elbow, whereas the other was cut below the elbow, possibly to remove a tattoo which could identify the victim. The missing body parts have never been found. A DNA sample was reportedly obtained in the initial inquiry, but no matches have been found.
In 2010, the man's remains were re-examined and different conclusions were reached about his age and characteristics. He was previously believed to be between 60 and 70 when he died, but is currently believed to have been between 30 and 45 years old, though more likely to be 35-39.
In 2011, the victim's femur, rib bone, and toenails were examined through isotope analysis and indicated that the victim likely came from southern areas of Germany or a neighbouring country. The examinations suggested that the victim spent the last year of his life either in the UK or near the French/German border.
Investigations led police to believe that the victim had been dressed post-mortem, and the clothing found at the crime scene did not belong to him.
Former persons of interest[]
In December 1991, police searched a nearby abandoned house in Cuckfield approximately 1.5 miles from where the remains were discovered after receiving a tip from a local estate agent. A copy of Penthouse magazine was found, containing an article about dismembering bodies with numbers scrawled on the pages. A former tenant who admitted to planning a fraud operation, as well as several of his associates, were questioned but were released due to a lack of evidence linking any of them to the murder.
Characteristics[]
- A strong build. Initial examination noted a "protruding belly."
- Circumcised.
- A small star-shaped mole on his right thigh.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Turned-up 'Fosters' trousers.
- A blue shirt with a distinctive motif on the pocket.
Sources[]
- Bolney Torso on Wikipedia
- BBC: