The identity of a man who was found in a body of water at a vacant property in the NSW Hunter Region several weeks ago has been revealed by police.
Shane Ryan, 55, was seen on CCTV at a Singleton hotel wearing a Holden HSV Racing jacket, blue jeans and brown boots on July 31 this year.
Workers found his body in water on a vacant property on Lake Rd at Elermore Vale, in Newcastle’s west, more than two weeks later.
Police were called to the site and found Mr Ryan about 12.30pm on August 19.
Newcastle police commander Kylie Endemi said Mr Ryan lived a transient lifestyle and was known to police.
He was in the Newcastle-Hunter basin in the lead-up to his death, and police believe he was staying at a Singleton hotel when he was captured on CCTV but are unsure how long he stayed there.
Superintendent Endemi said forensic analysis was being undertaken to determine how Mr Ryan died and if he suffered any injuries before his death.
“We have notified Mr Ryan’s family of his death. Obviously, this is a very difficult time for (his) family,” she said.
“We’re working with Mr Ryan’s family and others that we have spoken to who had contact with him leading up to his death to better understand the timeline of the events leading up to us unfortunately locating his body.
“We do hope that members of the public who may have had contact with Mr Ryan, or may have seen Mr Ryan, to come forward to help us better understand the timeline of events leading up to his death.”
Police released CCTV footage of Mr Ryan at the Singleton hotel urging anyone who saw him in recent weeks to contact Crime Stoppers.
He is described as caucasian, medium build, about 170cm tall, with a grey goatee beard, bald head, and green eyes.