Search for walker solves 12-year missing person mystery
During a routine Coastguard training exercise in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the body of David Brookfield was found. The remains of Shayne Colaco, missing for 12 years, were discovered in the same place during the recovery.
Wednesday 18 June 2025 12:36, UK
The mystery surrounding what happened to a missing walker has been solved 12 years after he disappeared.
The remains of 33-year-old Shayne Colaco were found last year after search teams found 65-year-old David Brookfield.
Mr Brookfield, who was described as an experienced walker, was walking alone in the Carneddau mountain range in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, North Wales, on 9 January 2024 when he went missing.
His wife received a text from him at the top of Carnedd Llewelyn, but received no further contact.
North Wales Police say it is believed Mr Brookfield, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, entered the broad mouth of a gully during his descent from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen, where he fell and became seriously injured.
During challenging winter weather conditions, Mr Brookfield could not be found, and it wasn't until four months later on 10 May 2024 that his body was discovered by Coastguard helicopter crews during a routine training exercise.
During the recovery of Mr Brookfield, volunteers also found the remains of Mr Colaco in the same place.
The doctor from the Stoke-on-Trent area had been walking in the Carneddau range around 12 years earlier.
Mr Colaco never returned to his car and was never seen again.
Police believe his descent from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen took the same turn as Mr Brookfield's.
Sergeant Paul Terry of the North Wales Police drone unit, said his thoughts were with both men's families as the force shared the story with the public.
"While we were carrying out the investigation process into David's death, a mountain rescue team member found a jacket about five metres further down the gully," he said.
"The jacket didn't seem to fit with the picture of what we were investigating. It was an older jacket, one that seemed to have been there for some time and inside the pocket was a car key.
"Deep in the memory of this rescue team was Shayne Colaco, who had gone missing in the same area 12 years earlier."
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Highlighting the dangers of walking in Eryri (the national park also known as Snowdonia), Sgt Terry said that, despite both men being experienced walkers, "it's always possible that something will go wrong".
"Eryri is an incredible place, it's beautiful, and on a good day, the mountains look achievable and accessible. But it's important to understand the scale of these hills and the impact of weather - and how quickly it can change," he said.
"And so, I have a very simple safety message - be prepared."