Murder suspects found in 1960s missing miner case
Police have identified two murder suspects in connection with the death of a miner whose remains were discovered more than 50 years after he vanished.
Alfred Swinscoe’s remains were found in a Nottinghamshire field last April. He was last seen drinking at a pub on January 27, 1967, and was reported missing soon after. Investigations revealed that Swinscoe suffered a significant stab wound, and blunt force trauma, and had a broken hand at the time of his death.
The two suspects identified by police are both deceased. The remains, which were confirmed as belonging to the 54-year-old Swinscoe, were unearthed on April 26 during excavation work off Coxmoor Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Police believe Swinscoe was murdered and buried in a grave between 4 and 6 feet deep. Scientists have conducted extensive analysis of his bones to determine the cause of death, suggesting he may have broken his hand while defending himself from his assailants.
Authorities noted that one of the suspects had a history of violent behavior.
Some of the injuries the suspect had inflicted on another man he was convicted of assaulting in April 1966, were similar to those found on Mr Swinscoe.
As some of the bones were missing, experts believe it was “highly likely” Mr. Swinscoe was killed at a different location, and then moved to where his remains were found “at a much later date”.
Mr Swinscoe’s grandson, Russell Lowbridge, told the BBC he recognized the former miner’s sock that was found with the remains.
“Finding out he was murdered was a shock. It took some sinking in,” Mr Lowbridge said. “It’s all a bit disturbing and upsetting.
“Anybody that knew anything, they’ve kept it a secret. It would be wonderful if [people] did come forward – it would help put our minds at rest.
“It will always haunt us; we’ll always be left wondering. We have got some closure, but not full closure. There are still questions to be answered.”
Since the age of 14, Mr Swinscoe had worked at Langton Colliery as a “cutter”, known for operating a machine that cut large chunks of coal out of the coal face for others to then break down.
He had the nickname “Sparrow”, and was also known as “Champion Pigeon Man of Pinxton”, due to his love of pigeon racing.
Four of his six children are still alive and he has several grandchildren.
It is believed Mr Swinscoe was drinking with his two sons and friends on the night of his disappearance.
He was last seen giving money to son Gary to buy a round and then left to use the outside toilet.
