A Night at the Pub Turns into a Mystery
It was a regular January night in 1967 when Alfred Swinscoe, 54, went to the Miners Arms pub in Pinxton. Like many evenings before, he enjoyed a few drinks with his son. At around 10:30 p.m., Alfred stepped outside to use the pub’s bathroom and was never seen again. His sudden disappearance left his family bewildered. They couldn’t comprehend how a simple trip to the bathroom could lead to a man vanishing without a trace.
His grandson, Russell Lowbridge, recounted, “He told his son to get another round of drinks, and that was the last time anyone saw him. It’s something that haunted our family for years.”
Discovery of His Remains After Five Decades
The shocking discovery of Alfred’s remains in April 2022 finally provided answers, though it came with a wave of new emotions for his family. His remains were found in a farmer’s field in Sutton-in-Ashfield, less than 10 miles from where he had disappeared. The discovery was a moment of closure but it also opened old wounds as the family came to terms with the violent nature of his death.
Russell Lowbridge recalled the moment he connected the dots after police posted a photo of a sock found with the remains. “I had this incredible flashback. I remembered wearing my granddad’s sock as a kid. It was a strange feeling, but I knew it was him,” he said. DNA testing confirmed it: after 57 years, Alfred had finally been found.
A Violent and Tragic End
The autopsy revealed a horrific truth about Alfred’s final moments. He had suffered severe blunt force trauma to the head and sharp force trauma to his jaw, likely inflicted by a spade. The injuries indicated that he fought for his life, with broken bones in his hand and trauma to his ribs. “It’s clear my granddad fought back,” Russell said, describing the wounds that indicated Alfred had grappled with his attacker before succumbing to his injuries.
Police believe his body was left out in the open for days, ravaged by animals before being buried in a shallow grave. “Whoever did this went back to make sure he was never found,” Russell added, deeply shaken by the grisly details.
A Family Haunted by Unanswered Questions
Though Alfred’s remains have been laid to rest, the mystery surrounding his death is far from resolved. Nottinghamshire Police have expressed their commitment to finding out what happened to Alfred, but time has made the investigation difficult. Many of those who knew Alfred or were present at the Miners Arms on the night of his disappearance have since passed away, leaving crucial questions unanswered.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin of Nottinghamshire Police remarked, “Alfred died in the most horrendous way imaginable. While his family finally has him back, the pain of not knowing why this happened is something they will continue to carry.”
A Proper Burial at Last Away from the Pub
In January 2024, Alfred Swinscoe was finally laid to rest in a cemetery in Sutton-in-Ashfield, buried alongside his wife, daughter, and son. His wife, who had never remarried, passed away without ever knowing what had happened to her husband. The burial brought some measure of peace to the family, though the violent end Alfred met remains a source of sorrow.
“After so many years, we can at least say goodbye,” said Russell, reflecting on the long wait for justice. “But we’re still hoping for answers.” The case may be over in some respects, but for the Swinscoe family, the search for the truth continues.
