Humberside Police have announced a new development in the Legacy Legacy Funeral Directors investigation.
On March 6, police received a report expressing concerns about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.
Cordons were quickly put in place at all three sites - on Hessle Road, Anlaby Road, and in Beverley. A total of 35 bodies were recovered from the Hessle Road site along with a quantity of ashes.
In April, the police confirmed that they would not be able to identify the ashes. Speaking at a press conference at the time, Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said that while the ashes were properly cremated, DNA had been degraded by high temperatures making it impossible to recover. At the time, the force confirmed it was contacting 163 families in relation to ashes recovered.
In a new update issued today (Thursday, September 12) Humberside Police have now confirmed the investigation is progressing to the stage where the force is in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.
As a result of evidence being reviewed, the Senior Investigating Officer has decided that a woman, who was arrested in March, is no longer a suspect. She has been released from bail, with no further action to be taken.
A man arrested in March as well as a woman arrested in July remain on conditional police bail while enquiries continue. Police confirmed that the families of the 35 deceased have been updated.
Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: “This investigation is by far the most challenging and complex due to the vast number of people who have been affected, and who continue to try to come to terms with the grief and the enormity of what has happened.
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“We are at a stage now where we are in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and discussions have been taking place between specialist CPS lawyers and ourselves in respect of the investigation.
“Based on these discussions and on reviewing the evidence as part of the investigation, our Senior Investigating Officer has made the decision that a woman arrested in March this year, is now no longer a suspect and has been released from bail with no further action to be taken.
“The families of the 35 deceased have been updated and contact made with other families who have been affected to advise of the update.
“Every strand of this investigation carries an untold amount of grief, heartache and distress for those who have been affected, and we will always provide updates as and when we are able to about the progression and next steps, after those who have been so deeply affected are informed first.
“A man arrested in March and a woman arrested in July, remain on conditional police bail as enquiries continue.
“I want to offer my assurance that our dedicated investigation team continue to work tirelessly to gather and assess evidence, and work is continually ongoing in the preparation of our casefile for submission to the CPS.
“I would please ask people to remember that at the heart of this investigation are devastated families, loved ones and friends, and getting them the answers and justice they desperately need and deserve will always remain our priority.”
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