Missing person database provides no match for bones found in Sudbury as investigation continues

The human remains were found in two black bin bags in the River Stour in Sudbury on Thursday 27th August, near Meadow Gate and Croft Bridge.

Searches of the area concluded on Sunday 6th September with the assistance of the Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit, Essex Police dog handlers and Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue.

A post-mortem examination carried out three days after the discovery was unable to find a cause of death or any form of identification.

Further forensic tests have been able to determine the victim was an adult male, who was likely to have an athletic or muscular build.

It's hoped tests will be able to establish the timescale in which the victim died.

Police say they will continue to use DNA as a central part of this case, through comparisons across a number of national and international databases, which they say will take time some "considerable time" to complete.

Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Bridger, Head of Crime, said: "We continue to do all we can to identify the deceased and are working with a number of other agencies to assist us in this.

"The UK Missing Persons Bureau hold records on every missing person in the country and where DNA profiles have been obtained, these are held on their database. We have run the initial profile we have of this individual through that database, but have not had a match at this time.

"There are other opportunities that remain open to us and we are continuing to develop these. However, as we have said from the outset, this is an investigation that will take considerable time.

"Following 10 days of searches in and around the River Stour, this work has now finished and the areas which had been closed off to members of the public are now open again.

"I would once again like to thank local residents for their patience whilst we completed this work and also the officers from the Metropolitan Police and Essex Police, along with the volunteers from SULSAR, for their assistance with the searches. We are also receiving ongoing support from the National Crime Agency and the experts that they are able to provide, for which we are also grateful.

"We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about this shocking discovery to come forward. Someone must know who the deceased was, or have information about who deposited the remains, so please come forward and talk to us – any information you give us will be dealt with in confidence."

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour near the river in the week leading up to the discovery.

If you can help, contact detectives online or by calling 101.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.