DNA solves 23-year mystery of body washed up on Norfolk beach
Albanpix Ltd/Rex Features
A body that washed ashore on a Norfolk beach in 1989 has finally been identified thanks to modern forensic science.
The man in question has been named as 34-year-old Michael Sutherland of Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.
His body was discovered by fishermen on an isolated beach on 9 October, 1989.
Albanpix Ltd/Rex Features
After a six-month-long police investigation failed to establish his identity villagers held a funeral service for the mystery man at the local churchyard.
However, during a review on the region's missing persons cases DNA evidence was used to once and for all identify Mr Sutherland.
Officers carried out an exhumation to obtain DNA from Mr Sutherland's teeth, which was then cross-checked against the missing persons database.
Mr Sutherland's remaining family were then informed and they have arranged for a new dedication service to be carried out.
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