Remains of Welsh computer expert found 21 years after he vanished

The remains of a man who disappeared over 20 years ago have been found in some woodland.

Russell Scozzi was 43 when he was last seen at a bus station in Swansea, Wales, back in May 2002, having quit his highflying IT job a year earlier.

And for the past two decades, his family have been searching for answers.

Speaking a couple of years after he went missing, Mr Scozzi's sister, Danielle Owens, said she was devastated by the loss.

She told BBC Radio Wales: "It was on my mother's birthday - she had passed away six months before.

"I saw Russell in Swansea and he was different - he seemed quite angry and bitter.

"When I look back on it, I wish I'd picked up on it more."

Adding: "It's disbelief - you feel detached as if it's happening to someone else.

South Wales Police

"As time goes on, it becomes more real and more difficult to deal with. Not knowing is indescribable.

"You think every day that he is going to turn up. Every day gets harder."

But last month, police recovered the remains of a body behind Waverley Drive in the village of Mumbles, which have now been identified as those of Mr Scozzi.

His sister said she and her family could now 'grieve him properly'.

"My heart goes out to Russell's children who have grown up without their father and never really knowing what happened to him," Ms Owens said.

"Hopefully now we, as a family, can lay him to rest and with the work of South Wales Police discover what happened to him. I dearly loved Russell.

"He was my big brother who I always looked up to when I was growing up, and to lose him in this way has been devastating. Finally, we can be given the opportunity to grieve him properly.”

Google

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies said that work was now underway to determine how and when Mr Scozzi died.

"Our investigation into the finding of Mr Scozzi’s remains is ongoing in order that we can establish the circumstances leading up to, and the cause of death," a statement read.

“The local residents of Waverley Drive supported officers throughout the course of our extensive and prolonged investigation of the scene and I wish to thank them for their support and patience.

“Following a thorough forensic examination, it’s been established that the remains are those of missing person Russell Scozzi who was last seen in May 2002.

"His family have been updated and are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.”

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677