THE REMAINS of a man who went missing from a Swansea care home almost 28 years ago have been found close to where he was last seen, an inquest has heard.
David Emrys Gear, who was 86 at the time of his disappearance, was a resident at Granville House Nursing Home in Morriston. He vanished without trace in September 1997, sparking an extensive search by police, relatives and members of the public. Despite repeated appeals and enquiries over the years, no confirmed sightings or leads ever emerged.
On 20 February this year, human remains were discovered in an area near the nursing home. The inquest, held at Swansea’s Guildhall, heard that forensic DNA testing confirmed the remains to be those of Mr Gear.
The coroner, Aled Gruffydd, told the hearing that the cause of death has yet to be established. He said further investigation is required to determine the circumstances surrounding Mr Gear’s death and the discovery of his remains.
The court was told that Mr Gear’s disappearance in 1997 had been treated as a missing person case from the outset, with searches carried out in and around Morriston. His name remained on missing persons lists for almost three decades.
The inquest was adjourned to allow further enquiries to be made.
