Mystery over death of IT expert found by gardener 20 years after vanishing - as family are left with 'more questions than answers'

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:37, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 14:57, 24 July 2026 An IT expert who mysteriously vanished more than 20 years ago was found dead with broken bones in a secluded woodland, an inquest has heard. Russell Scozzi's skeletal remains were accidentally discovered by a gardener clearing out overgrown bushes behind his house in Mumbles, Swansea. The 44-year-old graphic designer was last spotted at a bus station in Swansea in May 2002 before he disappeared and a police probe was launched the following year. But Mr Scozzi's disappearance baffled detectives after he quit his lucrative job at an IT firm without an explanation. The father-of-two travelled extensively and spoke fluent French and German but his passport and wallet were found at home, further worrying his family. In 2023, a resident discovered Mr Scozzi's 'skeletal remains' with 'multiple fractures' to his bones while clearing brambles and weeds next to their home. He was identified by his dental records and a post-mortem could not determine a cause of death.  Blue sheeting and clothing was also discovered about a mile from the IT expert’s former home. Russell Scozzi was last spotted at a bus stop in Swansea in May 2002 before he vanished A gardener was clearing out brambles and weeds in the woodland behind his house when he found Mr Scozzi's 'skeletal remains' A police probe was launched a year after his disappearance but detectives were baffled after he unexpectedly quite his lucrative IT job An earlier inquest heard that Mr Scozzi may have been abducted due to a secret drug addiction where he racked up £16,000 in debt – though police found no evidence to back this up. Detective Sergeant Sara Herbert said: 'There was nothing to support the theory he'd been abducted. It was rumour and conjecture.' After his body was discovered, Mr Scozzi's sister, Danielle Owens said: 'My heart goes out to Russell's children who have grown up without their father and never really knowing what happened to him. 'I dearly loved Russell. He was my big brother who I always looked up to when I was growing up. Finally, we can be given the opportunity to grieve him properly.' She said that his disappearance had become 'more difficult' over time. 'It's disbelief - you feel detached as if it's happening to someone else,' she said. 'As time goes on, it becomes more real and more difficult to deal with. Not knowing is indescribable. 'You think every day that he is going to turn up. Every day gets harder.' Senior coroner Aled Gruffydd returned an open conclusion for the inquest.