A Community’s Somber Discovery: The Andrew Yourglivch Case

In a tragic turn of events that has cast a shadow over the Costessey community in Norfolk, an inquest opened this week to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Andrew Yourglivch, whose body was discovered by children playing in East Hill Woods. The 59-year-old Norwich native, who worked as an employee support officer, was found on July 23, 2024, after having been reported missing two weeks earlier. This heartbreaking discovery has not only left a family in mourning but also affected the young children who stumbled upon the scene while engaged in what should have been carefree summer play.

The Norfolk Coroner’s Court, presided over by Coroner Yvonne Blake, began the formal process of determining what happened to Yourglivch in the weeks before his death. According to court records, although he was officially reported missing approximately two weeks before his body was found, he had actually been seen alive on June 27, nearly a month before the discovery. This timeline raises questions about Yourglivch’s whereabouts and circumstances during those crucial weeks, creating a mysterious gap that investigators are working to fill. The inquest has been adjourned until February 6, 2026, allowing authorities substantial time to gather evidence and piece together the final days of Yourglivch’s life.

Perhaps most concerning in this case is the current inability to determine exactly how Yourglivch died. Pathologist Ben Swift has provisionally listed the cause of death as “unascertained due to decomposition,” suggesting that the condition of the body has complicated medical examiners’ efforts to identify what led to his passing. This ambiguity has led authorities to classify the death as “unexplained” rather than immediately suspicious, though all possibilities remain under consideration as the investigation continues. The lack of clear answers adds to the distress felt by those who knew him and the wider community, who are left wondering what transpired in the woodland where he was found.

The discovery itself has created ripples throughout the local area, particularly because of the young finders who encountered the body while playing in what they likely considered a safe, familiar environment. Police were called to the area off East Hills Road shortly before 2:30 PM on that Tuesday afternoon, immediately establishing a cordon around the site. In recognition of the potential psychological impact on these children, authorities have promised ongoing support, stating that “further contact will be made with the families of the children involved in the discovery over the coming days to offer any support.” This acknowledgment of trauma extends the tragedy beyond Yourglivch himself to include innocent bystanders affected by their unexpected and disturbing find.

As the Costessey community processes this event, questions naturally arise about how a local man could disappear and die without immediate detection, especially in a relatively populated area. East Hill Woods, while providing natural seclusion, is not remote wilderness, making the month-long period between Yourglivch’s last sighting and the discovery of his body particularly puzzling. Locals have expressed concern about both the circumstances of the death and the fact that children were the ones to make such a distressing discovery. Community discussions have touched on issues ranging from public safety in wooded areas to the effectiveness of missing persons protocols, as residents try to understand how this situation could have unfolded as it did.

The lengthy adjournment of the inquest until 2026 indicates the complexity of the case and suggests that authorities anticipate a detailed investigation that may take considerable time to complete. During this period, forensic experts will continue examining evidence, police will pursue any potential leads regarding Yourglivch’s movements and contacts in his final weeks, and efforts will be made to determine if his death resulted from natural causes, accident, or something more concerning. For the family of Andrew Yourglivch, this means a prolonged period of uncertainty as they wait for answers about their loved one’s final days. Meanwhile, the community of Costessey will continue to reflect on this sad chapter, remembering a local man whose end came too soon and in circumstances that remain shrouded in mystery.