In pictures: Discovery of human bones in Sudbury and police raid at East Street house

Published: 05:00, 26 May 2021

Residents across Suffolk were in shock last summer after it was revealed that human remains had been discovered in one of the county's rivers.

Police were called at around 4.35pm on August 27 to reports of black bin bags containing bones having been found in the River Stour at Sudbury, near Meadow Gates and Croft Bridge.

Police tape covered the area, emergency services vehicles lined the streets, and Metropolitan Police divers took to the water to carry out searches.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward, including a swimmer seen in the Victorian bath area of the river and two boys. Picture: Mecha Morton

The bags had been spotted by a member of the public who alerted a ranger. The ranger then opened the bags and discovered the contents.

The following day, police launched a murder inquiry and asked anyone with evidence or infomation to get in touch.

Divers from the Metropolitan Police searched the river and found a small amount of human remains belonging to the same person. Picture: Mecha Morton

Police cordons were put in place around the river and around the area to which the bags of bones were moved. Picture: Mecha Morton

A Home Office post mortem examination carried out on August 30 failed to establish a cause of death or the identity of the victim.

It was later revealed that the remains were those of a man who was likely to have had an athletic or muscular figure. Tests also revealed he died months before the remains were found.

In the days to follow the discovery, more than 140 witnesses came forward to help officers in their investigations.

There was a heavy police presence in the area while investigations were carried out. Picture: Mecha Morton

Yesterday, almost exactly eight months since the bones were first discovered, a 26-year-old man from Sudbury was arrested in connection with the incident.

Police and forensics teams descended on a property in the town's East Street, where a police spokesman said they were likely to remain into today.

Specialist dog units were also seen outside the terraced house.

Detectives are also working to identify the victim through national and international databases as well as the timescale in which he died. Picture: Richard Marsham

Police and Forensics work at a house on East street in Sudbury. Picture: Richard Marsham

Forensics teams were seen outside an address in East Street yesterday morning. Picture: Richard Marsham

The man was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Another man was arrested at the same time on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

Police cars parked in the street outside the East Street property yesterday. Picture: Richard Marsham

A specialist dog unit was seen at the East Street property. Picture: Richard Marsham

Detectives are now working to identify the victim through national and international databases as well as the timescale in which he died.

They are still appealing to anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour near to the river around the time of the discovery and ask witneses or anyone with information to call 101.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said officers were likely to remain at the house in East Street for a while. Picture: Richard Marsham

Crime Sudbury Suffolk Homepage Rhoda Morrison

In pictures: Discovery of human bones in Sudbury and police raid at East Street house

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