Sudbury bones investigation: Further test results and appeal for potential key witness

Officers were called Thursday 27 August to the River Stour near Meadow Gates after bones were discovered inside two black bin bags
Officers were called Thursday 27 August to the River Stour near Meadow Gates after bones were discovered inside two black bin bags Credit: ITV Anglia

Police investigating the discovery of human bones in a river in Sudbury have received further forensic test results, and are also continuing to try to trace a man seen in the river who could be a potential witness. 

Officers were called at around 4.35pm on Thursday 27 August, after the remains were found inside two black bin bags in the River Stour, near Meadow Gate and Croft Bridge.

An initial Home Office post-mortem examination was conducted on Sunday 30 August, but was not able to establish a cause of death or any form of identification.

Initial forensic tests confirmed the remains belong to a man, likely to have been of an athletic or muscular build.

The further test results which have now been received relate to a small amount of additional human remains which were found as a result of the searches of the river. The DNA testing of these remains has now confirmed that they are from the same person as the original discovery.

Tests to establish the timescale in which the victim died are continuing, as are efforts to identify him through the comparison of DNA across national and international databases.

Detectives are keen to trace a man seen swimming in the river a week before the discovery, at around 5pm on Thursday 20 August, in the area of the Victorian Bathing Pool and Meadow Gate Bridge. Officers would like to speak to him as he may have been a regular user of the river and is therefore a potential witness.

Credit: ITV Anglia

Potential witness description:

  • Olive skin

  • 20-30 years old

  • Short black hair

  • Wearing black shorts, carrying a red rucksack

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour near to the river to come forward. They would also like to hear from anyone who has seen black bin bags in unusual locations, such as ditches or hedgerows.

Anyone with information about this discovery is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, either via our online portal here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363720N59-PO1 or by calling 101.