A man who passed away after being struck by a car a decade ago has finally been recognized, thanks to the dedication of a South Yorkshire officer who pursued the case during his off-duty hours.
Bryan Woolis, who was previously believed to be named Brian Wallace, died mere meters from his residence in Walthamstow, London, after a collision with a Mercedes on January 22, 2015. His identity remained unknown for years.
Inspector Nik Dodsworth took up the investigation upon discovering potential connections between Mr. Woolis and Sheffield.
“It is tragic for someone to die and be laid to rest without proper identification,” he remarked.
The Star newspaper highlighted a request for information in January 2024 from Locate International, a UK organization focused on finding missing individuals and identifying those who remain nameless.
Insp Dodsworth noted that the article motivated him to take action.
“They had two clear photographs of the deceased, yet he had still not been identified,” he explained. “I found that rather disheartening.”
While reviewing old case documents he obtained from the Metropolitan Police, Insp Dodsworth discovered a partial DNA match for the individual.
He then checked the Police National Computer database, which revealed the man’s real name—Bryan Alwyn Woolis.
Shortly thereafter, Insp Dodsworth located an online obituary for Bryan’s father, Alwyn Woolis, who passed away in Derbyshire in 2016. Alwyn had three children, including Bryan.
Insp Dodsworth noted that Bryan lived a reclusive life by choice and had not been in contact with his sister since the early 2000s, when she relocated from London to care for their father.
“Even though they weren’t in close touch, his sister felt sorrow over Bryan’s death,” he stated.
“She had heard a rumor that Bryan had died of natural causes but couldn’t find any information to confirm this.”
Since it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Mr. Woolis to be out of contact for extended periods, he was not reported as missing.
Insp Dodsworth mentioned that it is “not as rare as one might think” for individuals to pass away without formal identification.
The driver involved was given a suspended sentence following the incident, but the case remained open due to the victim’s unidentified status.
Locate International is working to arrange a new headstone for Mr. Woolis’s grave at Manor Park Cemetery in London, inscribed with the correct spelling of his name, which Insp Dodsworth insisted “must be done.”
He concluded: “I found fulfillment in solving this mystery, providing a name to the victim of a tragic road accident from a decade ago. I am relieved that the family can finally gain some closure from this heartbreaking event and start to heal.”
