The Missing Persons Registry is calling on Clarence Valley Locals who lived on Prince Street, Grafton, in 1965 when the body of a man was found in a North Sydney hotel, to provide DNA which may help solve the mystery of his identity.

When the body of the man was discovered in the communal bathroom of a hotel on Alfred Street, North Sydney on Friday, December 10, 1965, initial investigations suggested he died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The man, who was staying under the name of K Cox and was found in possession of clothes labelled with P Wilson and West, was described as between 50 and 55-years-old, about 185 cm tall, of medium build, fair complexion, with greying hair and blue eyes.

A to do list was found with the man which included “take dry cleaning, buy cup and teapot, spoon, visit bank, buy singlets and underpants, ring Harry & Peter”.

It is understood the man told hotel guests he had a wife and family who lived on Prince Street, Grafton.

Despite this information, police at the time were unable to formally identify the man and with this week being Missing Persons Week, the case remains with the Missing Persons Registry.

Missing Persons Registry Manager, Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim said with the focus of Missing Persons Week 2023 this year on unidentified bodies and human remains, it was appropriate to re-appeal for public assistance to identify this man.

“Technology has come a long way since the 60s, especially DNA technology, meaning – with the public’s assistance – we’ve never had a better shot at identifying this man,” said Det Insp Sim.

“This week we’re calling on members of our wider community to come forward and voluntarily provide their DNA to a public database to help us piece together who this man is and what has happened to him.

“Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy or “FIGG” combines new DNA analysis techniques and traditional genealogy to identify remains using commercial DNA databases such as Family Tree DNA or GEDmatch – you just need to opt in to share your DNA with law enforcement.

“Missing persons investigations are not criminal investigations – our only goal for wanting access to your DNA is to ultimately identify unknown remains and provide loved ones of missing people the answers they deserve.”

Anyone with any information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au