A BBC investigation has brought fresh focus to the killing of Tyrone France, an event that devastated Newport three decades ago.
The programme, aired on BBC One on August 20, explored the 1996 slaying and the meticulous forensic work that followed.
Mr France, who also went by Tyrone Jason Holmes, was fatally attacked before his remains were set on fire in Wentwood Forest, situated between Newport and Chepstow.
Workers in the woodland area came across a burning fire in May 1996. The charred scene contained human teeth, used ammunition and numerous bone pieces.
The inquiry eventually recognised the deceased as Mr France, a familiar presence in Newport.
Host Dr Richard Shepherd, a forensic pathologist, guided viewers through how investigators assembled clues from the severely destroyed remains to determine the circumstances of his death.
The South Wales Argus covered the case day by day, launching with the banner Forest Murder Riddle on May 13, 1996.
At that point, officers had failed to put a name to the victim because the burning had been so extensive.
Just one day afterwards, the newspaper announced a crucial development under the heading Drug Killing?, stating that the deceased had been identified as Mr France.
Bits of garments and belongings recovered from the location assisted in confirming his identity, enabling officers to start following his recent activities and interviewing acquaintances.
The publication also heard from Mr France’s partner Rosanna Rowe, who described him as compassionate, giving and always willing to lend a hand.
As the inquiry intensified, officers disclosed that evidence indicated Mr France had been struck by a 9mm pistol before petrol was tipped over his body and ignited.
The paper reported that a fired bullet and casing had been located in Wentwood Forest, while additional weapons were seized during searches across Newport.
By May 17, the publication bore the headline Two Charged With Murder.
Simon Spring and Dylan Watkins faced murder accusations, under a week after the remains first came to light.
Detective Superintendent Ian Johnston, who oversaw the investigation, thanked those who provided information and noted that press coverage had proven invaluable to the inquiry.
The following day delivered another significant turn of events.
The newspaper revealed under the heading Now Torso Found that human remains had been pulled from the River Usk close to Newport during operations involving officers, specialist divers and volunteers.
Experts then laboured to ascertain whether the body parts belonged to Mr France.
Eventually Tyrone, nicknamed Baby Bear by those close to him, had been persuaded to travel to Wentwood Forest under the pretence of a drug transaction, where he was shot and his body incinerated in an effort to eliminate all evidence. Jason Preece, Simon Spring, and Dylan Watcyns faced trial and were found guilty. The pathologist appearing in the programme described it as an unforgiving and merciless killing.
Thirty years on, the BBC production has cast renewed focus on one of Gwent’s most harrowing murder cases and the forensic techniques that enabled officers to expose what happened.
The South Wales Argus archives chronicle how the investigation progressed in real time, from the initial baffling find in Wentwood Forest through to apprehensions, charges and the eventual trial.