Sea of Lies from Uncover: Episode S32 E1 – "Luck, Or Something Like It"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Sea of Lies from Uncover
• Host/Author: CBC
• Description: A gripping true crime narrative recounting the discovery of an unidentified body, the relentless investigation to uncover the truth, and the unraveling of a complex web of deception spanning continents and decades.
• Release Date: March 6, 2025

1. Introduction: A Tale of Luck and Deception

The episode opens with Kathleen Goldhar setting the stage for a story intertwined with extraordinary luck and an intricate web of lies. She introduces us to the concept of "miracle luck"—fortuitous events so improbable they border on the divine—that set the foundation for this compelling true crime story.

Kathleen Goldhar [00:00]: "Luck is a spectrum... there was a miracle, because a father and son who weren't even looking accidentally found something. Someone who was never supposed to be found."

2. The Discovery of the Body: An Ordinary Day Turned Extraordinary

On July 28, 1996, in the tranquil holiday town of Brixham, Devon, Craig Coppock, a college student, joins his father, John Coppock, an experienced fisherman, on their trawler, the Malky, in search of cod.

Craig Coppock [02:06]: "So I was back home from university in London, hoping to spend some time at the beach or relaxing at home. But my father had different ideas."

Despite a slow start, John's intuition leads them to a notorious fishing area known as "the roughs." After successive unsuccessful attempts, their third haul brings an unexpected and horrifying discovery—a fully dressed man lying among the fish.

Craig Coppock [04:24]: "I opened up the cod end, dropped the catch onto the deck, and immediately you could see the figure of a man lying on the deck in between the fish that we'd caught."

3. Immediate Aftermath: Deciding Between Morality and Survival

Confronted with the lifeless body, John Coppock faces a moral dilemma. The local fishing folklore in the UK dictates that if a body isn't reported within 13 weeks, the finder becomes responsible for its disposal, potentially leading to severe financial repercussions.

John Coppock [04:14]: "We used to leave at around 4:35 o'clock in the morning... those perfect days on the water."

After a tense discussion, despite initial reluctance, Craig and John decide to notify the Coast Guard, prioritizing ethical responsibility over financial loss.

Craig Coppock [08:29]: "But then myself and my dad had a discussion... we came to that conclusion that the right thing to do would be to report this so that the dead person's loved ones could get some sort of closure."

4. Entering the Investigation: Detectives on the Case

Detective Ian Clenahan, a young and recently stationed officer in Devon, teams up with seasoned Detective Sergeant Bill McDonald to identify the deceased. Their investigation begins with traditional detective work—scouring missing persons reports, cross-referencing tattoos, and leveraging media outlets.

Ian Clenahan [18:46]: "Well, old fashioned detective work. So you start by going through all the missing persons listed in the Devon and Cornwall area and you try and rule those out."

Despite extensive efforts, initial leads hit dead ends, leaving the case stagnant and the deceased unidentified.

5. The Rolex Breakthrough: A Glimmer of Hope

A pivotal moment arises when the detectives focus on a Rolex watch found on the body. Rolex’s meticulous records become the key to unlocking the identity of the deceased.

Craig Coppock [13:24]: "He picked up the guy's arm, took the watch off his wrist and said, it's not a real Rolex because it's not working. At which point it started to tick again."

Through a suggestion from the coroner, Robin Little, the team contacts Rolex, which traces the watch's service history to a jeweler in Harrogate, far from Devon.

Bill McDonald [24:09]: "And sure enough, they had a record... underneath had a name, RJ Platt."

6. Tracing Ron Platt: From Essex to Wales

With the name RJ Platt, detectives expand their search beyond Devon, leading them to Essex. Here, Detective Sergeant Peter Redman from Essex Police plays a crucial role. Initial queries lead to Ron Platt's address in Chelmsford, revealing that Platt intended to move to France—a potential link to his presence in Devon.

Peter Redman [25:33]: "My first involvement was a phone call one evening... An inquiry had been sent from Devon and Cornwall to look into an address in Chelmsford, Beardsley Drive."

Through meticulous investigation, including contacting Ron Platt's guarantor, David Davis, detectives uncover that Ron had served in the military, allowing them to access his army records for further verification.

7. The Unraveling: Ron Platt is Alive

As the investigation progresses, a startling revelation surfaces. David Davis, while recounting his friendship with Ron Platt, unintentionally provides information that shifts the entire case.

Craig Coppock [43:24]: "Because they got the wrong house."

Detective Redman visits what he believes is David Davis's address but discovers Ron Platt alive and well, living next door to Frank and Audrey—an unexpected twist that challenges the initial assumptions of the case.

Peter Redman [43:24]: "Because they got the wrong house."

This misstep leads to the realization that Ron Platt had been deceiving those around him, employing stolen identities to perpetuate his con.

8. Confronting the Truth: A Web of Lies Exposed

The detectives, astounded by the discovery, engage with Ron Platt to uncover the layers of deception. Platt reveals his involvement in multiple fraudulent activities, including identity theft, bank robberies, and an elaborate scheme that spanned continents.

Bill McDonald [47:02]: "Ron said, oh, you want to be careful. You don't know anything about him. You want to be really careful... She was just sort of in awe of him, really. She was too trusting of him."

Platt's actions, driven by compulsion and deceit, leave a trail of destruction that the detectives meticulously piece together, highlighting the complexities of tracking a master con man.

9. The Role of Luck: A Double-Edged Sword

Throughout the investigation, luck plays a significant role—both aiding and impeding the detectives' efforts. From the accidental discovery of the body to pivotal moments like the Rolex identification and the serendipitous visit by Detective Redman, chance events critically influence the case's trajectory.

Kathleen Goldhar [39:36]: "He himself has become a vehicle of fate. He and Clenahan and MacDonald will spend the rest of their lives thinking about how big a role luck played that day."

The episode underscores the fragile nature of luck in criminal investigations, where a single missed detail or an unexpected turn can change the entire narrative.

10. Conclusion: The Never-Ending Quest for Truth

As the episode nears its end, the detectives reflect on the intricate interplay of luck, chance, and human deceit that shaped their investigation. While they successfully unmask Ron Platt, the story hints at deeper layers yet to be uncovered, setting the stage for future episodes.

Ian Clenahan [46:31]: "And then that was like the jaw dropping moment where it all changed then. And there will never be another job like this. Seriously, there will never be another job like this."

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps:

• Kathleen Goldhar [00:00]: "Luck is a spectrum... there was a miracle, because a father and son who weren't even looking accidentally found something. Someone who was never supposed to be found."

• Craig Coppock [04:24]: "I opened up the cod end, dropped the catch onto the deck, and immediately you could see the figure of a man lying on the deck in between the fish that we'd caught."

• Ian Clenahan [18:46]: "Well, old fashioned detective work. So you start by going through all the missing persons listed in the Devon and Cornwall area and you try and rule those out."

• Bill McDonald [24:09]: "And sure enough, they had a record... underneath had a name, RJ Platt."

• Craig Coppock [13:24]: "He picked up the guy's arm, took the watch off his wrist and said, it's not a real Rolex because it's not working. At which point it started to tick again."

• Peter Redman [43:24]: "Because they got the wrong house."

• Bill McDonald [47:02]: "Ron said, oh, you want to be careful. You don't know anything about him. You want to really be careful... She was just sort of in awe of him, really. She was too trusting of him."

Final Thoughts

"Sea of Lies from Uncover" masterfully blends elements of meticulous investigation, human emotion, and the unpredictable nature of luck to narrate a story that captivates and unravels with each episode. Through detailed storytelling and impactful interviews, the podcast not only sheds light on the intricate workings of a con man's schemes but also underscores the resilience and dedication of those committed to uncovering the truth.

For listeners eager to delve deeper into this enthralling true crime saga, "Sea of Lies" promises an intricate exploration of deception, justice, and the elusive nature of luck.