Police identify man found on Perranporth beach

Police have identified the man who was found on Perranporth Beach on Tuesday 25 February as a result of the public appeal.

Following formal identification on Wednesday 5 March, the man can now be named as Alan Eric Jeal, 64, from Wadebridge. His next of kin have been informed.

Two callers, including family members, rang police giving Alan’s name after seeing the artist’s impression on the Force website.

The death is being treated as suspicious after multiple injuries were found on his body which are not consistent with drowning and cannot be easily explained.

The investigation is now focusing on Alan’s movements on the days before his body was found.

A CCTV image has been released showing the last known sighting of Alan on Monday 24 February, shortly after midday, in Wadebridge town centre.

DCI Dave Thorne, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Alan’s family and friends at this upsetting time and we will do everything we can to support them.

“Now that we know his identity, we can progress with the investigation and try to find out exactly what happened to him.

“He was last seen on Monday 24 February, the day before his body was found, and I would welcome information from anyone who knew Alan, or who saw him in the days leading up to his death.”

Police have released a series of photographs of items which were found on the beach.

The Regatta jacket, wallet and photograph, which were found on Wednesday 26 February, are believed to be Alan’s.

It is believed that the photograph found in the wallet shows Alan when he was two years old in the family home.

It is not known whether the rucksack and woolly hat, found nearby on the same day that the body was found, are linked to him.

Over 50 calls were made to police from local, national and international callers, as well as information given via the Force Facebook and Twitter accounts.

A member of the public discovered the man’s body on the beach near the Watering Hole bar at around 2pm on Tuesday 25 February.

Police believe he was in the water for no more than 24 hours. 

Alan lived alone and was not reported missing to police.

Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 381 of 1 March. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.