Body Found In Burton In 1971 Is Not Missing Llangollen Man

Police have said the body of a man found beside the River Trent in Staffordshire in 1971 is not that of missing John Henry Jones from Llangollen.

Following familial DNA testing, John Henry Jones, who went missing from Trevor, near Llangollen, in November 1970, has now been eliminated from enquiries.

Detective Inspector Dan Ison, of Staffordshire Police, is investigating the case of the unidentified man who was found in a shallow grave in Burton-upon-Trent in March 1971. He made an appeal to viewers on the BBC’s Crimewatch Roadshow on June 27, revealing a new facial reconstruction pictured above.

DI Ison said John Jones, who went missing from Llangollen in 1970 was one of the names he wanted to eliminate from his enquiries. Work had been carried out by a dental expert which suggested similarities between Mr Jones’s teeth and the man found in Staffordshire.

Mr Jones’s family made contact with police following the broadcast and media coverage.

A DNA sample was taken, however, a match was not made.

Police say they have informed Mr Jones’s family and ask that their privacy is respected.

“We are extremely grateful for the assistance Mr Jones’s family, the public and media have given us with this case. While the DNA test has not resulted in an identification of the body found in Burton, we have been able to rule Mr Jones out of our enquiries,” DI Ison said.

“Forty-six years have passed, but the investigation remains open and we’d ask people to check the image and contact us if they have new information.”

The man found beside the River Trent is described as a white male, late twenties/early thirties, of slight build with medium short brown hair no longer than 3 inches in length.

Anyone with information should contact 101 asking for Staffordshire Police giving reference 103 of June 26 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.