Man's remains found in woodland after 20 years still a mystery, inquest rules

A man whose remains were found more than 20 years after he went missing died as a result of multiple fractures to his body - but how it happened is still a mystery, an inquest has ruled.

The skeletal remains of Russell Scozzi, who was 44 when he went missing in 2002, were found in woodland by a man who was clearing brambles and weeds from his garden on Waverley Drive, Mumbles, Swansea, in April 2023.

Former graphic designer Scozzi was last seen at Swansea's Quadrant bus station in May 2002.

An inquest at Swansea's Guildhall on Thursday heard he had to be identified using dental records.

Det Sgt Sara Herbert of South Wales Police told the hearing that several lines of inquiry had been followed over the years, including the possibility that Scozzi had been abducted by drug dealers.

"Nothing [was found] to support the theory he'd been abducted," she said, adding: "It was rumour and conjecture."

Scozzi, a gifted former Bishop Gore pupil, had 13 O-levels, a degree and a higher national diploma and could speak French and Spanish.

He had worked abroad as a graphic designer, then later as a computer programmer and in advertising.

He was married and had a son and daughter.

He developed an addiction to cocaine and heroin and spiralled into debts of about £16,000.

Associates told police that two drug dealers from Bristol who were owed money could have abducted him.

But no evidence of that was found.

The senior coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, Aled Gruffydd, said there were several theories about how Scozzi came to his death and recorded an open conclusion.

Scozzi's sister, Danielle Scozzi-Owens, said the loss was "devastating" for the family.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales two years after her brother's disappearance, Scozzi-Owens said that having a person missing from the family got worse as time went on.

"It's disbelief - you feel detached as if it's happening to someone else," she said.

"It becomes more real and more difficult to deal with. Not knowing is indescribable.

"You think every day that he is going to turn up. Every day gets harder."

Paying tribute to her brother following the discovery of his remains, she added: "My heart goes out to Russell's children who have grown up without their father and never really knowing what happened to him.

"I dearly loved Russell. He was my big brother who I always looked up to when I was growing up.

"Finally, we can be given the opportunity to grieve him properly."