Man arrested in connection with discovery of human remains in river

A man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of human remains in the River Stour in Sudbury last summer.

Officers were called at around 4.35pm on Thursday, August 27, 2020, after the remains were found inside two black bin bags near Meadow Gate and Croft Bridge.

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

Expert forensic tests have been taking place over the past nine months and established at an early stage of the inquiry that the victim was an adult male, who was likely to have been of an athletic or muscular build.

A small amount of additional human remains were found as a result of searches of the river, with DNA testing of these remains confirming 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.

This morning, Tuesday, May 25, officers arrested a 26-year-old man from Sudbury in connection with the discovery of the human remains. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

He has been taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre where he will be questioned by detectives.

A second man was arrested at the same time on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug. He has not been arrested in connection with the discovery of the human remains.

Officers are also currently searching a property in Sudbury following these arrests and this work is expected to continue into tomorrow.

Detectives continue to appeal for anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour near to the river in the week preceding the discovery 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 is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, either via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/363720N59-PO1 or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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