Dead man identified, three years after his skull was found
The remains of an itinerant man who was never reported missing have been identified more than three years after his skull was found.
A Tasmanian coroner has confirmed the identity of a man whose skull was discovered in southern Tasmania three years ago. Edward Harold Tait, born in 1971 to Scottish parents who later moved to Victoria, was the subject of a persistent police investigation. The skull was found in July 2023 at a property near Clifton Beach, while its owner was clearing weeds.
Initial DNA matches failed to identify the man, prompting police to seek public assistance. The remains were determined to be in excellent condition, with a brown stain indicating contact with the soil. Despite extensive forensic testing, the cause of death remains unknown. Helen Tait, Edward's estranged sister, was the key to confirming his identity.
She provided DNA which matched the remains through a forensic genetic genealogy test. Tait had led a difficult, itinerant life, facing police charges across several states. The last contact he had was with Centrelink in November 1999. His body was found in a campsite with personal belongings, including a pair of shoes with orthotics, suggesting he had a rare condition.
The coroner's report concluded that Tait died at or near the campsite, but the exact date of his death remains a mystery.
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