Murder investigation continues in Sudbury, one year on
Bones were discovered in the River Stour
The murder investigation following the discovery of human remains in a Sudbury river one year ago continues, as detectives are now able to release more details about the victim.
Officers were called at around 4.35pm on Thursday 27 August 2020, after human remains were found inside two black bin bags in the River Stour, near Meadow Gate and Croft Bridge.
A Home Office post-mortem examination conducted three days later (on Sunday 30 August) was not able to establish a cause of death or any form of identification.
A small amount of additional human remains were recovered as a result of searches of the river in the week after the bags were found, with DNA testing of these remains confirming that they are from the same person as the original discovery.
Expert forensic tests have been taking place over the past year and established at an early stage of the inquiry that the victim was an adult male, who was likely to have been of an athletic or muscular build.
Police are now able to reveal the results of further tests that have taken place, which have determined that the victim was likely to have been aged in his late 50s to early 60s and was approximately 5ft 6in tall. The date of the victim’s death is believed to be between 2008 and 2012.
The approximate age of the victim and time frame for his death are based around the results of radiocarbon dating, which has been undertaken as part of the ongoing specialist forensic work in the case.
Efforts to identify the victim are also ongoing. To date, 230 missing person records across local and regional databases have been reviewed, with further opportunities to explore the comparison of DNA across numerous national and international databases being developed with the assistance of the National Crime Agency (NCA).
On Tuesday 25 May, officers arrested a 26-year-old man from Sudbury in connection with the inquiry and he was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning. He was subsequently bailed in respect of this case and has since been released under investigation.
In the 12 months since the discovery was made, a substantial amount of work has been completed, with officers collating 1,672 exhibits - both physical and forensic.
Over 1,400 people have been spoken to (including as part of house-to-house enquiries) and as a result of this more than 1,140 statements or reports have been taken.
In addition to collaborating with the NCA, the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team is continuing to work with a number of other specialists and experts from across the country, including regional partners and the Home Office.
Assistant Chief Constable Eamonn Bridger said:
"A huge amount of progress has been made over the past year by everyone who has been working on this extremely complex murder inquiry.
"We said from the outset that this would be a long and methodical process and it has proven to be just so, especially due to the type of specialist forensic testing that has been – and continues to be – taking place.
"Many of the results that have come back then need to be subject to further tests and so we still have a distance to go. However, we have received many positive and helpful results including the approximate age of the victim and dates between which he is believed to have died.
"We remain grateful to all the members of the public, experts, specialists and partner organisations who have, or continue to, assist us with this investigation.
"I would like to repeat my appeal from last year for anyone who knows anything about this discovery to come forward. If you have concerns over a male relative, friend or colleague you haven’t seen or heard from, since between 2008 and 2012 and who was aged in their late 50s or early 60s at the time, then please contact us.
"Equally, if someone you know was acting suspiciously or displayed a real change in their character in the days and weeks before - and after - the discovery which gives you concern, then please come forward and talk to us. Any information you provide will be dealt with in confidence.”
Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the discovery of the human remains in the River Stour last summer to come forward. This includes anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour near the river in the days and weeks preceding the discovery on Thursday 27 August 2020.
Anyone who believes they can assist is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, either via our online portal here or by calling 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form.