Disappearance of Freddie Goodwin - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 21 June 2025
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	\| disappearance_place = Snake Pass, Derbyshire, England		\| disappearance_place = Snake Pass, Derbyshire, England
	\| nationality = British		\| nationality = British
	\| known_for = Disappearance		\| known_for = Disappearance
	\| parents = Margaret Goodwin (mother)<br>Thomas Goodwin (father)		\| parents = Margaret Goodwin (mother)<br>Thomas Goodwin (father)
	}}		}}

	The '''disappearance of Freddie Goodwin''' occurred on 17 October 2020, when 25-year-old university student Freddie Goodwin vanished while hiking along the Snake Pass in Derbyshire, England. Despite extensive search ~~efforts~~, no trace of Goodwin has ever been ~~found~~. ~~His disappearance~~ remains unsolved, and ~~it has been~~ the ~~subject of ongoing speculation and numerous investigative theories~~.		The '''disappearance of Freddie Goodwin''' occurred on 17 October 2020, when 25-year-old university student Freddie Goodwin vanished while hiking along the Snake Pass in Derbyshire, England. Despite an extensive search operation and national media coverage, no confirmed trace of Goodwin has ever been located. The case remains unsolved and is one of the most perplexing missing persons cases in the region in recent years.

	==Background==		==Background==
	Freddie Goodwin was born on 4 September 1995 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, to Margaret and Thomas Goodwin. He was a postgraduate environmental science student at the University of Manchester at the time of his disappearance. ~~Described as~~ quiet ~~but friendly~~, Goodwin ~~was an experienced solo hiker who frequently explored~~ the Peak District ~~on weekends~~.		Freddie Goodwin was born on 4 September 1995 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, to Margaret and Thomas Goodwin. He was the youngest of three siblings and a postgraduate environmental science student at the University of Manchester at the time of his disappearance. Known for his quiet personality and sharp intellect, Goodwin had a particular passion for hiking, often exploring the rugged landscapes of the Peak District alone. He was described by friends and lecturers as deeply curious, introspective, and responsible.

	On 17 October 2020, Goodwin ~~told~~ his ~~housemate he planned~~ to hike the Snake Pass ~~trail~~, a ~~remote~~ route through the Pennines ~~known for its beautiful yet harsh terrain~~. He ~~left Manchester early that morning and~~ was last seen on CCTV ~~purchasing supplies~~ at a petrol station in Glossop at 7:43 a.m.		On the morning of 17 October 2020, Goodwin left his student flat in Manchester with plans to hike a portion of the Snake Pass, a scenic yet treacherous route that winds through the Pennines. He was last seen on CCTV at a petrol station in Glossop at 7:43 a.m., where he purchased snacks and bottled water. At 9:11 a.m., he sent a photograph via WhatsApp to a close friend, showing a fog-covered vista believed to be near the A57 summit. This would be his final known communication.

	==Disappearance==		==Disappearance==
	Goodwin~~'s last known communication was a photo he sent via WhatsApp at 9:11 a.m., showing a foggy overlook on the A57. When he~~ failed to return home ~~or respond to messages~~, his housemate ~~contacted authorities~~ the following morning.		When Goodwin failed to return home that evening, his housemate initially assumed he was staying overnight in the area. However, by the following morning, concerns mounted after repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. A missing person report was filed on 18 October, prompting Derbyshire Police to launch a coordinated search operation.

	~~Derbyshire Police, with assistance from local~~ mountain rescue teams, ~~launched a large-scale search. Helicopters~~, ~~drones~~, and ~~scent-tracking dogs were deployed across~~ the Snake Pass ~~region~~, ~~but~~ no ~~physical evidence was ever found~~. His mobile phone last ~~pinged~~ a tower at 9:23 a.m.~~, then lost connection~~. ~~There was~~ no ~~activity on his bank accounts~~ or ~~social media~~ after ~~that date~~.		The search effort included mountain rescue teams, drones, sniffer dogs, and a police helicopter. Authorities focused on the Snake Pass corridor and its surrounding trails. Weather conditions were cold and visibility remained poor for much of the initial search window. Despite multiple sweeps of the area, no clothing, gear, or signs of struggle were discovered. His mobile phone had last connected to a local tower at 9:23 a.m. and showed no further activity thereafter. Financial records showed no purchases or withdrawals after the petrol station stop.

	==Investigation==		==Investigation==
	~~The official~~ investigation ~~considered~~ several ~~possibilities:~~		In the early stages of the investigation, police examined several theories regarding Goodwin’s fate. The first and most widely accepted explanation was accidental death. Investigators believed it was plausible that Goodwin had fallen from one of the area’s steep drops or had succumbed to exposure in the remote terrain, particularly given the dense fog and freezing temperatures on the day of his disappearance. However, the complete absence of physical evidence complicated this theory.
	* Accidental death – Authorities speculated that Goodwin ~~may have~~ fallen or ~~become lost~~ in the ~~rugged~~ terrain, ~~especially~~ given the ~~poor visibility that~~ day.
	* Voluntary disappearance – Some investigators entertained the idea that he may have chosen to vanish, though friends and family rejected this, citing his stable academic and personal life.
	* Foul play – While no signs of struggle were found, ~~isolated sightings and conspiracy theories have suggested~~ the ~~possibility~~ of ~~abduction or encounter with unknown persons~~.

	As of ~~2025~~, ~~Goodwin remains listed as~~ a ~~missing~~ person. ~~The~~ case ~~was featured on~~ the ~~BBC’s~~ ''Missing Persons: Cold Files'' ~~in April 2023~~, ~~renewing~~ public interest ~~but yielding no breakthroughs~~.		Another theory suggested that Goodwin may have chosen to disappear voluntarily. Although there was no immediate indication of mental distress, investigators noted the isolated nature of his academic work and personal life. Still, his family and close friends strongly rejected the idea, emphasizing that he had made concrete plans for upcoming coursework, travel, and personal projects.

			Speculation around foul play also emerged. While no definitive signs of abduction or violence were present, some members of the public pointed to online sightings and local rumors suggesting a potential encounter with another person. Conspiracy theories circulated online, with some claiming he may have been followed, robbed, or even targeted by unknown individuals. These claims have never been substantiated by police evidence or credible witnesses.

			Despite recurring media attention, the case yielded few leads. In April 2023, the BBC documentary series ''Missing Persons: Cold Files'' dedicated an episode to Goodwin’s case, reexamining the timeline and search records. The program generated renewed public interest and prompted dozens of tips, none of which led to a breakthrough.

	==Public response==		==Public response==
	Goodwin’s disappearance ~~received widespread~~ media ~~attention~~, ~~especially across~~ Northern England. Vigils were held in ~~both~~ Sheffield and Manchester, and ~~his parents regularly appealed~~ to the ~~public~~ for information. ~~Online~~ forums ~~and amateur investigators have~~ proposed ~~a range of~~ theories, ~~from misadventure to organized crime involvement~~, ~~though none have been substantiated~~.		Freddie Goodwin’s disappearance drew significant media coverage in the UK, particularly in Northern England. Vigils were held in Sheffield and Manchester, where family, friends, and strangers gathered to raise awareness and call for continued search efforts. Posters and social media campaigns using the hashtag #FindFreddie circulated widely during the initial weeks of the investigation. His parents appeared on national television on multiple occasions, pleading for information and maintaining hope that their son might be found alive.

			Over time, Goodwin’s case gained traction among amateur sleuth communities and online forums dedicated to unsolved disappearances. While many users proposed sincere theories grounded in local geography and search analysis, others ventured into speculative territory, creating friction with the family, who urged respect and factual discourse.

	==Recent developments==		==Recent developments==
	In October 2024, a hiker ~~in the~~ Kinder Scout ~~region~~ discovered a ~~weathered~~ backpack ~~containing~~ a ~~university~~ ID and ~~some personal items belonging~~ to Goodwin. ~~The area was subsequently re-searched, but no further evidence was recovered~~.		On 6 October 2024, a hiker traversing a remote section of Kinder Scout discovered a worn-out backpack partially buried beneath loose stones. The contents included several granola wrappers, a weathered University of Manchester student ID, and a water-damaged notebook believed to have belonged to Goodwin. Forensic analysis confirmed the items were authentic and dated to the approximate time of his disappearance.

	~~Derbyshire~~ Police ~~stated~~ that the ~~discovery did not conclusively determine his fate but indicated he~~ may have ~~diverted~~ from his intended route.		The discovery prompted another targeted search of the Kinder Scout region, lasting six days. However, no additional evidence or human remains were found. Police acknowledged that the backpack’s location suggested Goodwin may have diverged from his intended route, possibly becoming disoriented or injured in an attempt to descend from the plateau. Nevertheless, without further evidence, his fate remains unknown.

	==See also==		==See also==

Mob: Created page with "{{Infobox person | name = Freddie Goodwin | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Frederick James Goodwin | birth_date = {{Birth date|1995|9|4}} | birth_place = Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England | disappearance_date = {{Start date and age|2020|10|17|1995|9|4}} | disappearance_place = Snake Pass, Derbyshire, England | nationality = British | known_for = Disappearance | pa..."

2025-06-22T00:04:26Z

Created page with "{{Infobox person | name = Freddie Goodwin | image =  | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Frederick James Goodwin | birth_date = {{Birth date|1995|9|4}} | birth_place = Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England | disappearance_date = {{Start date and age|2020|10|17|1995|9|4}} | disappearance_place = Snake Pass, Derbyshire, England | nationality = British | known_for = Disappearance | pa..."

New page

{{Infobox person
| name = Freddie Goodwin
| image = 
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name = Frederick James Goodwin
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1995|9|4}}
| birth_place = Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
| disappearance_date = {{Start date and age|2020|10|17|1995|9|4}}
| disappearance_place = Snake Pass, Derbyshire, England
| nationality = British
| known_for = Disappearance
| parents = Margaret Goodwin (mother)<br>Thomas Goodwin (father)
}}

The '''disappearance of Freddie Goodwin''' occurred on 17 October 2020, when 25-year-old university student Freddie Goodwin vanished while hiking along the Snake Pass in Derbyshire, England. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of Goodwin has ever been found. His disappearance remains unsolved, and it has been the subject of ongoing speculation and numerous investigative theories.

==Background==
Freddie Goodwin was born on 4 September 1995 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, to Margaret and Thomas Goodwin. He was a postgraduate environmental science student at the University of Manchester at the time of his disappearance. Described as quiet but friendly, Goodwin was an experienced solo hiker who frequently explored the Peak District on weekends.

On 17 October 2020, Goodwin told his housemate he planned to hike the Snake Pass trail, a remote route through the Pennines known for its beautiful yet harsh terrain. He left Manchester early that morning and was last seen on CCTV purchasing supplies at a petrol station in Glossop at 7:43 a.m.

==Disappearance==
Goodwin's last known communication was a photo he sent via WhatsApp at 9:11 a.m., showing a foggy overlook on the A57. When he failed to return home or respond to messages, his housemate contacted authorities the following morning.

Derbyshire Police, with assistance from local mountain rescue teams, launched a large-scale search. Helicopters, drones, and scent-tracking dogs were deployed across the Snake Pass region, but no physical evidence was ever found. His mobile phone last pinged a tower at 9:23 a.m., then lost connection. There was no activity on his bank accounts or social media after that date.

==Investigation==
The official investigation considered several possibilities:
* **Accidental death** – Authorities speculated that Goodwin may have fallen or become lost in the rugged terrain, especially given the poor visibility that day.
* **Voluntary disappearance** – Some investigators entertained the idea that he may have chosen to vanish, though friends and family rejected this, citing his stable academic and personal life.
* **Foul play** – While no signs of struggle were found, isolated sightings and conspiracy theories have suggested the possibility of abduction or encounter with unknown persons.

As of 2025, Goodwin remains listed as a missing person. The case was featured on the BBC’s ''Missing Persons: Cold Files'' in April 2023, renewing public interest but yielding no breakthroughs.

==Public response==
Goodwin’s disappearance received widespread media attention, especially across Northern England. Vigils were held in both Sheffield and Manchester, and his parents regularly appealed to the public for information. Online forums and amateur investigators have proposed a range of theories, from misadventure to organized crime involvement, though none have been substantiated.

==Recent developments==
In October 2024, a hiker in the Kinder Scout region discovered a weathered backpack containing a university ID and some personal items belonging to Goodwin. The area was subsequently re-searched, but no further evidence was recovered.

Derbyshire Police stated that the discovery did not conclusively determine his fate but indicated he may have diverted from his intended route.

==See also==
* [[List of people who disappeared]]
* [[Disappearance of Corrie McKeague]]
* [[Disappearance of Leah Croucher]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="BBC2020">{{cite news |title=Search launched for missing hiker Freddie Goodwin |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-54589101 |publisher=BBC News |date=19 October 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="ColdFiles">{{cite web |title=Episode 3: Freddie Goodwin |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/missingpersons |website=Missing Persons: Cold Files |publisher=BBC |date=10 April 2023}}</ref>
<ref name="Guardian2024">{{cite news |title=New clues emerge in 2020 disappearance of hiker Freddie Goodwin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/17/freddie-goodwin-backpack |publisher=The Guardian |date=17 October 2024}}</ref>
</references>

==External links==
* [https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/missingpeople/freddie-goodwin Derbyshire Police – Missing persons appeal]

[[Category:2020s missing person cases]]
[[Category:Missing people]]
[[Category:People from Sheffield]]
[[Category:October 2020 events in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Unsolved disappearances]]