James McDowell

James McDowell was found dead on a beach on 25 March 1986.

When he was found there was little skin left on the upper part of his body, and the jaw and left hand were missing.

He was from Torquay. He was identified by dental records.

A friend of James McDowell said that she last saw him on 19 January 1986. She said they had gone out for a meal and that he had told her that he had been hoping to be accepted as a student at Sussex University and that he had been full of plans for the future.

The pathologist said that there was no evidence of natural disease or injury, and that he estimated that his body had been in the sea for a long time.

His cause of death could not be determined.

When the Coroner summed up he said that suicide could be ruled out because James McDowell had had plans for the future.

He added that how he died must remain uncertain.

His inquest returned an open verdict.