Woman linked to human placenta found in park 'most likely to be West African'

01 December 2023 , 12:50

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Police have released images of people they want to speak to "urgently" after a human placenta was found in Southampton (Image: HampshireLive / BPM Media)

A missing mother linked to a human placenta that was found in public is 'most likely' to be West African, police have revealed today.

Officers have been trying to locate the woman since the afterbirth was found by a 15-year-old boy in a wooded path in Southampton, Hants, on June 21, sparking a major police search for the mother and her newborn. The placenta was found just half a mile from Southampton General Hospital, but the whereabouts of mother and child remain a mystery.

Hampshire Constabulary revealed analysis by a genetic scientist discovered that the DNA profile believed to have come from the mother of the baby is 'most likely' to have a sub-Saharan heritage, most likely West African.

Hampshire search and rescue teams in Holly Brook (Daily Echo/Solent News)

Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie, who is leading the investigation, said: "As a result of these most recent findings we have been working with key community partners including The United Voice of African Associations and colleagues at Southampton City Council in order to seek support, guidance and advice.

"We are now focused on speaking to our African communities within Southampton in particular, in order to ascertain further information about the circumstances of this discovery, however we remain keen to speak to anybody who has information that may assist our enquiries.

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The human placenta was found by a schoolboy in a city centre park (Google Street View)

"Perhaps you were in the area at the time and recall seeing something out of the ordinary, or maybe you know someone who was pregnant prior to 21st June, that you have concerns for?" Southampton Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy added: "The reason we are placing such emphasis on understanding what has happened is that this was a very unusual occurrence in our force area and something that we have not seen before in Southampton.

"It's crucial that we understand the circumstances and why the placenta was in this public area, to ensure that the mother and baby are not in distress and check that they are safe and well. We are now renewing our plea to members of the community to please come forward and assist us with any information, we need your support to help us understand the circumstances of this discovery and to ensure that the mother and baby are okay."

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference 44230246419.

Ryan Fahey