Murder investigation launched after human bones found in Suffolk river

Remains found in suspicious circumstances, say detectives

The stretch of the River Stour where the bags of bones were found (Google Maps)

A murder investigation has been launched after human bones were found in two bin bags dumped in a river near a small market town.

Police were called following the discovery in the River Stour in Suffolk near Sudbury on Thursday afternoon.

Officers cordoned off the area to carry out a search.

Suffolk Police said the bones had been confirmed as human remains and “due to the suspicious circumstances in which they were found, detectives are treating this as a murder investigation”.

Inspector Kevin Horton, local policing commander for Sudbury, said: “We appreciate that local residents are likely to find this discovery alarming, and as such we will be increasing police patrols in the town to provide reassurance.

“Officers are also likely to remain at the scene over the weekend and into the early part of next week.

“Discoveries such as this are extremely rare – especially in Suffolk – and as such we do not believe there is any cause for concern to members of the public.”

Detectives have pleaded with people for information.

“Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity close to the river, where a submerged shopping trolley and the bags containing the bones were discovered nearby,” Suffolk Police said in a statement.

“Alternatively, anyone who has seen the bags in the river or knows how they came to be in the water or who uses the route regularly is asked to come forward with any relevant information.”

The black bin bags were fished out of the river between Meadow Gates and Croft Bridge.

Additional reporting by PA