Man identified 25 years after death in Scarborough

Today North Yorkshire East Coroner, Michael Oakley, took the unusual step of re-opening an inquest originally held in 1989, after the new police inquiries identified the man as David Robin Michael Dawes, a teacher.

Mr Oakley, said an open verdict had originally been recorded on Mr Dawes, who had been pulled from the harbour in May 1989 but never identified despite nationwide inquiries.

However, Det Cons Vincent Morris, of North Yorkshire Police, told an inquest held in Scarborough today, the inquiry had been re-opened by the police when new evidence came forward.

As a result the dead man was able to be identified as David Robin Michael Dawes, a teacher, who was born in London, whose only known address was a guest house in Bury.

Det Con Morris told the resumed hearing at Scarborough Town Hall that one of Mr Dawes’ two daughters had seen an image which she believed was her father. She told police that while he was not from Scarborough he was fond of the town.

He said a number of dentists had been contacted in the past to ascertain an identity but without success but new DNA samples taken from Mr Dawes’ two daughters, Elizabeth and Lucy and his son, Harry all from his first marriage, had provided “very strong” evidence of his identity. A DNA sample from Mr Dawes’ body had been retained at Scarborough Hospital had been used to provide a match.

However the inquest was told no evidence had been found as to how he came to be in the harbour.

Mr Oakley, re-affirmed his original open verdict on the body, said it had now been possible to establish it as that of Mr Dawes, who had been born in London. He said the details would be re-submitted for re-registration of the death.