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The mystery disappearance of a doctor who vanished without trace after setting off for a walk in Eryri (Snowdonia) has finally been unravelled. Psychiatrist Shayne Eves Colaco, 33, was about to start a new job when he vanished while walking alone in the summer of 2012.
After driving from the Stoke-on-Trent area, Shayne parked up near Ogwen Cottage and began walking towards 3,209ft Pen yr Ole Wen.
Despite leaving information about his intended route, he never returned to his car and was never seen again. Staffordshire Police conducted periodic “cold case” reviews but it appeared he had simply vanished into thin air.
Six years after he went missing he was declared dead. Despite a massive search operation, his body was never found.
The mystery would only be resolved by a series of remarkable coincidences following another tragedy 12 years later. On January 9, 2024, David Brookfield, 65, of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, also went missing while walking alone in the Carneddau mountains.
He’d sent a WhatsApp message to his wife from the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn. After that, no further contact was received. Again, another huge search operation was launched involving mountain rescuers, a coastguard helicopter, drones and dogs. For a while, this too drew a blank.
Four months later, on May 10, 2024, a coastguard helicopter crew spotted a blue jacket in the Ogwen Valley. The discovery was a stroke of luck – they’d been carrying out a routine training exercise. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
During his descent from the top of Pen yr Ole Wen, it is believed David entered the broad mouth of a gully where he fell and became seriously injured. When his body and possessions were being recovered, mountain rescue volunteers made a discovery that would finally shed light on what had happened to Shayne.
Sgt Paul Terry of the North Wales Police drone unit, recalled the chain of events. “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.”
Sgt Terry began investigating what Shayne had been wearing and what car he had been driving at the time he went missing.
He added: “I was quite amazed to find that the jacket was very similar to the one Shayne was wearing the day he went missing. Following further investigations, we managed to confirm the key in the pocket was the key to Shayne’s car, a Fiat Seicento.
“Suddenly, we realised we may have a clue as to where he may have been all this time.”
Following the discovery of Shayne’s belongings, a specialist mountain rescue drone operator carried out further searches on Pen yr Ole Wen in a bid to find his body.
Sgt Terry added: “As the drone pilot stood in the spot where we had recovered David, something quite incredible happened.
“He noticed a piece of fabric under some brush and the detritus that had washed down the gully – and quite incredibly, realised that he had also discovered the remains of Shayne Colaco.
“What’s really so amazing about this story is that so many of the people involved in searching for David had also been involved in the searches 12 years before for Shayne.
“One of the winchmen who located David from the helicopter was also part of RAF 22 Squadron looking for Shayne 12 years earlier.
“This brings so many people together around two really sad stories, but it shows the amazing willingness and determination of volunteers and the emergency services to find both these men.”
Incredibly, both men had died and remained undiscovered for some time in almost the same spot. North Wales Police shared details of the two incidents in the hope they would highlight the dangers of walking in Eryri.
Sgt Terry explained David and Shane were both experienced walkers who were well prepared. “It’s always possible that something will go wrong,” he said.
“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.
“In both these cases, David and Shane ended up in ground which really is very dangerous, which might have seemed inviting from the summit, but as it got steeper and more broken, it became harder.”
Sgt Terry knows all too well the perils that await – in his spare time he himself volunteers for a local mountain rescue team. “I volunteer because it’s incredible, it’s an amazing adventure and it brings value to other people’s lives,” he said.
“Where somebody has passed away, helping to bring them off the mountains and back to their families and loved ones is a massive privilege. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
“We want you to come and enjoy these beautiful mountains in Eryri, it is amazing but come and be safe and enjoy it. I have a very simple safety message – be prepared.”
Mountain safety advice Understand your limitations. Educate yourself on how to walk in the mountain safely. Understand the route that you’re taking. Have a communication plan. If you change your plans, let somebody know. Know your descent route. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for mountain rescue. Ensure you have the right clothing for the weather. Have plenty of food and drink, particularly if it’s hot. Wear bright coloured clothes to help locate you. Ensure your phone is fully charged.
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