Mystery remains around bones of man found in Sudbury river a year on
The bones found in the River Stour still haven't been identified.
It's one year today (27th August) since the discovery of bags containing human bones in a river in Sudbury - and there's still no confirmation as to who they belong to.
Suffolk Police launched a murder investigation shortly after the discovery in the River Stour between Meadows Gate and Croft Bridge.
Cordons were put in place while searches of the river and its banks were carried out.
Police said from the start that the process of identifying the body was likely to be "time consuming" with no expectations of significant developments in the early stages.
A post-mortem carried out on the 30th August 2020 but it wasn't possible to establish any form of ID or cause of death - with further tests needed.
By Monday 31st August, police had ramped up appeals for witnesses, including two boys and swimmer, to come forward and help with the investigation.
Two boys who tried to help the person who made the discovery by attempting to retrieve the bags from the river were identified a short time later, but appeals continued to track down the swimmer seen at the Victorian Bathing Pools continued.
On the 3rd September 2020, Detective Chief Inspector Mike Brown, the Senior Investigating Officer, made this statement: “Detailed forensic investigations on the remains is continuing and, although progress is being made every day, as we have said previously, this will be a long and painstaking process to complete, as we strive to establish the identity of the victim.
“Such a complex investigation is a real team effort and I offer my extreme gratitude for all the expertise, knowledge and support we have received from various specialist and operational resources.
“Of course, part of that team effort is the support and understanding from the Sudbury community – we remain extremely appreciative of the patience they have shown us while a large police presence remains in the vicinity of the River Stour and whilst we conduct enquiries elsewhere in the town.”
A day after that statement was made, there was a small break through.
Tests had confirmed that the bones belonged to an adult male, who is likely to have been athletic or muscular build.
Over a month later, on the 23rd October, police confirmed that further tests had revealed the bones found in the bag were from the same person as a small number of additional remains found during searches of the river.
Then it wasn't until May 2021 that we received the latest update on the case - a man had been arrested.
Police said on the 25th May, a 26 year-old man from Sudbury, had been arrested in connection with the discovery of the human remains, and also on suspicion with intent to supply Class A drugs.
He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Station for questioning.
A day later he was released on bail in connection with the bones inquiry, but was charged with the drugs offence.
That was the latest update on the case which remains open and ongoing.
Appeals for witnesses who may be able to help with the inquiry are continuing.