Human remains discovered in a pond in Essex were likely to have been there for “several weeks”, police have said.
The remains were found in Oakwood Pond in Harlow on New Year’s Eve after a member of the public reported a suspicious object in the water.
A murder investigation has been launched.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said it was “too early” to establish the identity of the person found.
“At this stage, it is too early to be able to identify who the victim is, and that includes things such as the sex and ethnicity of the victim. Some witnesses have indicated that the human remains have been there for some time.”
Pressed on if this meant days, weeks or months, he said: “I think the indication is several weeks, currently.”
Police were called shortly before 2pm on Saturday following the report of a suspicious object and forensic officers have confirmed them to be human remains.
Mr Kirby declined to disclose what body parts had been found.
He added: “This person is someone’s loved one, someone’s family member, and they will have questions about how and why they were killed.
“We are committed to finding out what happened, and who is responsible, and will work relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice.”
Forensic tests are due to take place this week, which will determine characteristics such as the age, gender and ethnicity of the victim.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby
Leader of Harlow Council, Councillor Russell Perrin, said he is “shocked and saddened” by the “awful situation”.
A cordon has been in place around the pond since the remains were found.
Mr Kirby said searches around the area, in Fourth Avenue, may include draining a pond as specialist officers search for “potentially crucial” evidence.
There will be an increased police presence in the area “for several days to come” due to the “complex” operation of draining the pond.
A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.
“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”
Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield
Read more from Sky News:
Fresh appeal over student’s murder
100 firefighters battle flats blaze
The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.
A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.
According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.
Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.
While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.
The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province
Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.
Read more from Sky News:
IDF finds ‘failings’ over attack on aid workers
Pope blesses Easter crowds from popemobile
According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.
It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year 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
-
Sports4 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
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway