A HEARTBREAKING appeal has been made in a last-ditch attempt to identify a man who had to be cremated simply as “unknown”.

The appeal for information has come from a coroner - and people in Carlisle could hold the key to unlocking the identity of the mystery man.

Authorities believe he may have been originally from the city and hope their latest bid to identify him will jog the memory of someone who knew him during his earlier years.

The man, known only as ‘Elliott’, was a homeless person who lived rough in the Boston area of Lincolnshire.

At about 7am on April 11 last year, he collapsed inside a McDonald’s in the town where he spent most of his evening.

He later died at Lincoln County Hospital five days later on April 16, 2018.

His cause of death was cardiac-related.

According to the UK Missing Persons Unit, the unknown man was in possession of a William Hill winning slip, cash, tobacco, two disposable cigarette lighters and a Homeless shelter card.

His hair is described as grey and wavy, with collar length.

A spokesman from the unit said: “Enquiries to date indicate that he called himself “Elliott”, and that he was originally from Carlisle and had lived for a time in Holland.”

In the 14 months since his death, investigators have been unable to establish his full identity or find his family.

David Stocking, of the Lincolnshire coroner’s office, has launched the fresh appeal for information.

He said Elliott previously worked as a taxi driver and an ice cream man when he lived in Carlisle.

David said: “He was known as Elliott but we don’t even know if that was his real name.

“We have never been able to identify him at all.

“We have tried DNA, fingerprints, gone to National Missing Persons’ Bureau, and issued appeals in the media but with no luck.

“He was laid to rest as an unknown person in a local authority public health funeral.

“It is important to find out who he was so that family members can be made aware.

“Perhaps he was estranged from his family and no-one knows he’s dead.

“Finding out his name would be nice for completion.”

Police believe he had been in Boston for about 20 years and may have had a daughter living in Wrangle, a village about 10 miles away from the town.

A spokesman from Lincolnshire Police said: “We are appealing for help to identify a man who sadly passed away by natural causes at Lincoln County Hospital following a collapse in McDonald’s restaurant in Boston on April 11, 2018.

“The man, who is believed to have been in his late 50s or 60s, is believed to have been locally known as Elliott but investigators have not been able to establish his surname or trace any family members.

“Elliott was a homeless man who regularly visited McDonald’s night and day and often slept near Aldi - both located in Queen Street, Boston.

“Elliott also visited the local betting shops.

“He could often be seen wearing a black baseball cap, was a white man of a medium build, around 5ft 5inches tall, had dark but greying hair and wore reading glasses.

The spokesman added: “The CCTV image we have of Elliott in McDonald’s is not of a good quality, so we hope an e-fit image will help people to recognise him.”

n If anyone has information that can help the coroner in Lincolnshire, call David Stocking on 01522 554699.

n Details can also be passed on by calling 101, and asking to speak to Lincolnshire Police, by emailing force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk, or on the UK Missing Persons Unit website, by searching for case number 18-002969.