Police to repatriate ashes following storage concerns at Hull funeral parlour
Police have begun visiting more than 160 families in Hull to repatriate ashes recovered from a funeral parlour in the city.
Investigators have been able to identify them through documentation and extensive enquiries.
However, some of the ashes will never be formally identified because cremation makes it impossible to extract DNA.
It emerged earlier in the year that officers had removed a number of bodies from three branches of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors – two in Hull and one in Beverley.
Humberside Police said it had received a “number of calls from concerned members of the public”.
Concerns had been raised about “storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased”.
Now, the force says it has “begun the process of visiting 163 families across the city in regards to the repatriation of ashes” recovered from the branch of the company located in Hessle Road in Hull.
It added: “Officers from the force along with support staff from Hull City Council and East Riding Council will provide those affected with a detailed update on what they’ve recovered and discuss the options available to them.”
Richard Shaw had unidentified ashes in an urn at his home. Pic: Richard Shaw
Richard Shaw, whose wife Rita died after a short illness last October, had unidentified ashes in an urn at his home for many months.
Mr Shaw, 70, used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. After the firm was raided by police in March, he became concerned he might have been given the wrong ashes.
His worst fears were realised when police recently contacted him to say they had recovered what they believed to be his wife’s ashes during their inquiries.
They have just been returned to him, eight months after her death.
He was given ashes in December while his wife was cremated in January, according to a letter found by police.
The unidentified ashes have been scattered around a rose tree he planted for Rita.
Mr Shaw says grief comes ‘in waves’. Pic: Richard Shaw
It still feels “raw”, he told Sky News.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “It comes over you in waves.”
Mr Shaw, who volunteers at the hospice where his wife died, added: “I’m taking [it] that they’re Rita’s ashes, but it’s just a case of if I didn’t accept that I don’t know how I’d cope with it all.
“I think I’m more positive that they’re Rita’s ashes but they’ve been cremated so they can’t check on the DNA side of it.”
The families are calling for a permanent memorial for their loved ones.
Monthly candlelit vigils have been taking place at the city’s Pickering Park, providing those affected with support in uncertain times.
Some families say it would be the perfect location for a memorial garden.
The Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull
Karen Dry, who used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors when her parents died, has organised the gatherings.
She told Sky News: “We need a permanent memorial – we need somewhere people can come and sit and reflect on their loved ones and families, somewhere that’s peaceful so that we know that they’re always resting.”
She added: “We were all perfect strangers at the beginning and now we’re very good friends. We’ve created our own community.”
Read more from Sky News:
Search for missing UK teenager in area of Tenerife called off
England beat Slovakia to book spot in Euro 2024 quarter-finals
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
A man, 46, and a woman, 23, were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation, and fraud by abuse of position.
They have been released on bail while inquiries continue.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
Read more from Sky News:
Ten Reform councillors quit in protest
Liz Truss sends cease and desist letter to Starmer
As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway