Corpse found on coast shrouded in mystery (updated)

Forensic doctors were on Tuesday working to determine the gender and age of the body discovered in an advanced stage of decomposition in the area of Sotira in the Famagusta district on Monday at 2pm.

The post mortem carried out at the Nicosia general hospital was inconclusive as it shed no light on the person’s gender, age or the time and circumstances of death.

According to Famagusta police spokesperson Steve Theodoulou, forensic doctors found no injuries on the corpse, while X-rays were taken to be studied by anthropologists to find additional information.

“The time of death cannot be estimated due to the advanced decomposition of the body, and samples were taken to be sent for more genetic testing,” he said.

According to police spokesman Christos Andreou, a fisherman told police that he had found the corpse in a rocky area near the Ayia Thekla area in Sotira.

The scene was immediately cordoned off by police officers, who, due to the body’s advanced decomposition, were unable to ascertain whether the corpse belonged to a man or a woman.

“It is not yet clear whether the corpse was washed up from the sea, but evidence suggests that it was,” Andreou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

“The coast guard was also informed, and patrols were dispatched at sea in the area to find information that could assist investigators.”

Asked whether the corpse might belong to a migrant, Andreou said that “nothing can be ruled out.

“All possibilities are open. From early investigations, we can only say that it is probable that the corpse was washed up from the sea, but this will also be determined by the post-mortem.

“Certainly, the body’s advanced state of decomposition complicates the forensic doctors’ work.”