The mysteries of skeletal remains found near Victor Harbor in 1964 and on Kangaroo Island in 1983 have again been highlighted during Missing Persons Week.

SA Police have been re-examining the remains as part of Operation Persevere in the hope that emerging technology will enable the men to finally be identified.

Kings Beach Unidentified Human Remains:  

On the 4 October 1964, the body of a fully clothed deceased male was located on the sand at Kings Beach, west of Victor Harbor.  

The male was of Caucasian appearance, aged about 50 years, 5’11”, medium build, brown hair which was greying and receding on his forehead.  

He had no upper teeth, and only eight teeth in the front in his lower jaw.  

He was wearing an olive green tweed sports coat, dark grey Fletcher Jones trousers, khaki V-neck pullover, white neck shirt, and black leather ripple soled size 10 shoes.  

Despite Police enquiries with local shipping companies, fisherman and interstate Police jurisdictions, the deceased appears never to have been identified.

The following sketch was created in 1964 from photographs of the deceased.

Kangaroo Island Unidentified Human Remains:  

On the 8 January 1983, the skeletal remains of a deceased male were located in roadside scrub along the Playford Highway, west of the Airport on Kangaroo Island.  

An Anthropological examination indicated the remains are from a middle-aged or older adult male of European ancestry, approx. 162-173cm tall, who wore a full set of dentures and died within the proceeding two (2) years.  

Healed fractures were observed on the right lower leg bone in two locations.

Following the discovery, rumours about this individual appear to have spread across the Island with suggestions he had either been travelling on the Island, an itinerant worker or a previous resident.  

However, a review of this investigation has been unable to establish his identification.

Forensic Science SA Director Professor Linzi Wilson-Wilde OAM says her team works tirelessly with SA Police to help give closure to the families and friends of missing persons.

“Forensic technology is continually evolving, meaning that we can revisit decades-old cases with new techniques and fresh eyes that can uncover information that was previously unavailable. Families and loved ones deserve answers, and we will use every technique at our disposal to help SA Police find those answers.”

Minister for Police Joe Szakacs says police continue to pursue all avenues of enquiries available until an individual is located.

“South Australia Police endeavour to give the families of missing person answers as to why their loved one has disappeared.”