Mystery as bodies of girl, 17, and woman, 42, found in 'unexplained' deaths

03 January 2023 , 13:31

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Police launched an investigation and say the deaths near Milford-on-Sea in the New Forest are "unexplained but not suspicious" (Image: Solent News & Photo Agency)

The bodies of a 17-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman have been found in a property in the New Forest, police have said.

Detectives are treating the deaths as "unexplained" and say the women are related to each other.

The pair was found dead just before 2pm on Thursday at a property in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire Constabulary announced today.

Following the discovery, police launched an investigation and say the deaths near Milford-on-Sea in the New Forest are "unexplained but not suspicious".

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We were called just after 1.45pm on Thursday, December 29 to a report of the bodies of a 17-year-old girl and 42-year-old woman having been found at an address in Shorefield Road, Downton.

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"The deaths are being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

"Their family has been informed and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

The relatives were found dead in the New Forest

The New Forest area is known for its tourism and walking routes. Around 179,000 people live in the area, which is designated a national park.

It is only around 90 minutes via train from London and a 2019 study suggested there were over 15 million recreational visitor days each year.

The park website said: "This means there are more visitor days per square mile of protected conservation area than any other English national park."

Over 17 million recreational visitor days a year to the National Park are expected by 2037, despite concerns over the local area and habitat.

New Forest National Park Authority Chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre said: "I think people will be surprised to read just how much pressure the New Forest is under and the huge number of visits to these protected habitats."

"There are important health and economic benefits to this recreational activity. The New Forest is also home to some of the UK’s and Europe’s rarest wildlife species and habitats."

Kelly-Ann Mills