Cops give major update on funeral director probe as 'human ashes' recovered
Police investigating a funeral directors firm in Humberside described it as a "truly horrific" incident as they revealed they had now moved 35 bodies.
Two people arrested in relation to the "distressing" incident have been bailed under police investigation. A press conference held on Tuesday, March 12, saw Humberside Police appeal for any previous customers of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors come forward if they have concerns about the service they received. A dedicated team of at least 120 police staff has been assembled to complete the investigation.
On Monday, March 11, Humberside Police revealed a 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial in connection. The move came after officers swooped on three branches of the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull and Beverley, East Yorkshire, on Friday.
Thirty five bodies were removed and police revealed they were in the process of identifying remains. The three branches remained sealed off over the weekend, as officers said they were "working around the clock" to deal with enquiries.
David Marshall, Deputy Chief Constable at Humberside Police told a press conference he wanted to reassure the families and the public they are doing "everything we can" and a team of 120 officers were working on the case. He said: "Firstly I want to express my sincere and deepest sympathy to the families of those affected and anybody else affected by the reports relating to the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors based in Hull, East Riding.
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"We are continuing to support the families involved through this extremely difficult and distressing time. This has been a truly horrific incident and understandably they are distraught and have many questions to be answered. I want to reassure them and the wider public that we are doing everything we can to give them that reassurance and the answers to the questions they desperately want.
Police have been seen at numerous branches of the business this week as they carry out their investigation (Donna Clifford/Hull Daily Mail)"I also want to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to everybody who has called with information as well as our teams who continue to work around the clock following the lines of inquiry that have been generated.. This is an extremely complex and sensitive investigation with heartbroken families at the core of it. We are determined to ensure that we keep the families at the centre of everything we do." He also added how "many will be shocked horrified and retraumatised through grief..."
His colleague ACI McCloughlin, who is leading the investigation, said he was a "critical point" in the investigation. But he said he could confirm they were called to the firm's branch in Hessle Road in Hull late last week following "reports of concerns in relation to the storage and management and processes of the deceased people within those premises."
He said between Friday morning and Saturday evening, they had "now recovered a total of 35 deceased who have now been respectfully transported to the mortuary in Hull" and formal ID was now taking place. "In addition we also recovered a quantity of what we suspect to be human ashes," he added, explaining they will also be taken to the mortuary.
He said the two people who had been arrested have been released on bail and added: "This is a highly intricate" investigation. He said they had received 1,000 phone calls from members of the public since Friday and he encouraged others to get in touch. In a direct message to the families affected and "loved ones affected by this "truly terrible set of circumstances", he said; "My heart goes out to you all and I can only imagine how distressing this is and how upsetting it will be for you and your families.
"I know that you will want and need much more information than I can give you today but as we progress with the investigation. I want to reassure you that we will provide you with updates as soon as we can. I also want to give you my personal commitment that I will do everything possible to give you the answers you deserve." He added: "These are difficult times for us".
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