Police believe a tattoo of a woman holding a bouquet of flower and a computer generated image could help crack a 42-year-old cold case death in inner Sydney.
An unidentified man, believed to be of South American appearance, was fatally struck by a train in the rail corridor between Stanmore and Newtown in April 1981.
The death was found at the time to not be suspicious and, despite an extensive investigation at the time, the man could not be identified.
On Wednesday, police launched an appeal for information that could help finally close the case, saying it is “terribly sad” that the man’s identity remains a mystery.
The force released a computer-generated image of the man alongside a photo of the tattoos on his left thigh.
These included a woman wearing a bikini, an eye and the words “Eulrlia” and “Stevios” which could be Greek or Spanish-origin.
It’s believed tattoo artists of the era could help shed some light on the origin of the tattoos.
Retired Inspector George Georgiou who investigated the incident four decades ago said he had always been troubled that he could not work out who the man was.
“Back in those days we did not have the technology that police now have available to them,” he said.
“Whilst I may have retired from the police over 20 years ago … I think it’s great that after all these years a new generation of police are revisiting the investigation.
“I sincerely hope that this man can finally be identified, and I would urge anyone who may know anything about this case to contact police.”
The cold-case was reopened in 2021 when a fingerprint analysis identified the man as possible being Osvaldo Perez, born on May 16, 1955, but an international investigation could not find any record of Mr Perez.
Police now believe it may have been an alias used when he was arrested for drink driving on New Year’s Day in 1981.
The man was described as being 176cm tall and aged between 25 – 30 years, with a medium build, olive complexion, black curly collar length hair, a black moustache and accent.
Located in the man’s possession was a $20 note, an Aseikon brand gold coloured wristwatch and a weekly train ticket allowing travel between Stanmore and Canley Vale.
It is believed he was living at a boarding house in Fairfield East and working as a labourer or boiler maker.
Crime Manager of Inner West Police Area Command, Detective Inspector Ben Kennis said investigators were “desperate” to find the man’s true identity.
“It is terribly sad that after more than four decades we cannot confirm the true identity of this man,” he said.
“ His family and loved ones need to be notified on what has happened.”
Anyone with information has been urged to contact the Newton Police Station or Crime Stoppers.