Timeline: Saddleworth moor mystery man

Timeline of events relating to the death of an unidentified man on the track to Chew Reservoir near Greenfield, Oldham put together from various press reports. Anyone who recognises this man or with information should phone police on 0161 856 8972 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Friday 11th December 2015

Before 0900: Seen on CCTV walking around Ealing, West London

0904: Seen on CCTV at Ealing Broadway station buying a ticket to Euston station (£4.80)

CCTV images from Ealing Broadway station 0904 11/12/15

0904-0950: Travels to Euston by underground

0950: Buys return ticket from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly (£81.50)

1000: Departs London Euston by train

1207: Arrives Manchester Piccadilly station

 CCTV footage from Manchester Piccadilly station 1229 11/12/15

1207-1229: Remains in Piccadilly station, visits various shops (including Boots and M&S), buys food.
|
1229: Seen on CCTV descending stairs at Piccadilly station
|
1229-1257: Remains in Piccadilly station, visits various shops (as prior to 1229)

1257 approx: Spends four minutes at an enquiry point - nature of enquiries unknown

1301 approx: Leaves Piccadilly station via Fairfield Street entrance (taxi rank & pick up/drop off points), but returns shortly after. Unclear as to whether he actually goes to the taxi rank before returning.

1303: Leaves Piccadilly station by the main entrance (towards Station Approach/Piccadilly)

1303-1405: Travels from Manchester to Greenfield - method of transport currently unknown.

1405 approx: Enters the Clarence Hotel, Chew Valley Road, Greenfield. Asks landlord Mel Robinson for directions - reports vary slightly on exact wording, either asking "the way to the mountains" or "How do you get to the top of that mountain?". Mr Robinson provided directions, but is reported to have advised against making the ascent due to the time and weather conditions. He described the man as having a northern accent, but not local to the area.

1630: Seen by RSPB wardens standing beside Chew Track "about two thirds of the way up" to Chew Reservoir. Other reports state that "witnesses spotted him about a mile up the steep track to the summit at 4.30pm. A second witness saw him about three-quarters of the way to the top..."

Saturday 12th December 2015

1045: Body discovered by passing cyclist lying on the sloping ground beside a layby on Chew Track above Dovestone Reservoir [map]. Body is described as lying "face upwards and head pointing towards the summit. His legs were together and arms by his side. The body was in full view." Initial reports state the man was carrying only £130 in ten pound notes and three rail tickets (the tube ticket and the outward/return portions of the rail ticket). Police later reveal that he was also carrying an empty Thyroxine Sodium pot of a type originating from GlaxoSmithKline in Karachi, Pakistan.

Thyroxine Sodium pot found (empty) on body