The bodies of 35 people and the suspected ashes of a number of others have been recovered by police investigating a funeral directors’ firm over ‘concern for care of the deceased’.
Over 1,000 people have phoned a dedicated hotline with concerns about Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, as officers from Humberside Police moved bodies from the firm’s branches to a mortuary.
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful burial and fraud have been released on bail, the force said.
Assistant Chief Constable Thom Mcloughlin told a press conference on Tuesday: ‘We have now recovered a total of 35 deceased who have now been respectfully transported to the mortuary in Hull and formal identification procedures are now taking place.
‘In addition, we have also recovered a quantity of what we suspect to be human ashes.
Flowers and tributes are left outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors
Assistant Chief Constable Thom Mcloughlin (pictured) told a press conference today: ‘In addition, we have also recovered a quantity of what we suspect to be human ashes’
Police continue their investigations at the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Funeral Directors
Candles and floral tributes were left outside one of the firm’s branches amid news that 35 bodies and suspected human ashes had been recovered by police
Police have today revealed that more than 1,000 people have called a hotline over concerns about the funeral firm where 35 bodies have been recovered (Pictured: The Beckside branch of the firm earlier today)
Two officers are pictured outside the Hessle Road Branch in Hull. Police said earlier that a cordon has been put in place around two other branches as well
Cordons were in place at three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors’ branches on Saturday
The Beverley branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors which has now had its branding removed
‘We are in the process of carefully recovering all of those ashes and taking those to the mortuary.’
He added: ‘So far, we are pursuing extensive lines of inquiry, and have special search and forensic teams conducting thorough searches of various business premises that are linked to the suspects that were detained this weekend.
‘I can confirm that a man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful, decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.
‘They have since been released on police bail with conditions whilst our investigation is continuing.
‘I recognise that this is a distressing time for all of those affected and I have no doubt it will have a significant impact across all our local communities and beyond.’
A large number of police have been seen at the site, including forensics officers dressed in white protective suits and the maritime protection unit.
Officers cordoned off three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors sites after the force received a report on Wednesday of concerns about the ‘storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased’.
Cordons were in place on Saturday night at three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors sites after the first report to police on Wednesday.
Officers were spotted outside two of the firm’s branches in Anlaby Road and Hessle Road, both in Hull, at about 3am on Thursday, according to Hull Live.
The Beverley branch, the smallest, is located on the corner of a residential street on the outskirts of the town.
The woman who owns the building and lives next door said: ‘They don’t very often come to this place.
‘I have not seen them for ages. They used my place to try and drum up extra business but it has not really happened.
Humberside Police today held a press conference where further details were disclosed of the ‘truly horrific’ incident
Forensic investigators were also pictured at the scene on Hessle Road
‘It is very strange what has happened. It is not everyday you have the police watching the building.
‘I know a couple of people who have had funerals there and they were really happy.’
The main branch and head office of Legacy is at the near derelict end of Hessle Road, Hull, next to a derelict house sprayed with graffiti and facing a row of takeaways and boarded up buildings.
Local takeaway staff were all aware of the investigation but had no idea what was behind it.
One local trader said: ‘We think the police have been there since Wednesday night. Lights were seen in the rear yard.
‘There are all kinds of rumours on Facebook.
‘But all we have been told by police is they are there because of ‘something the owner has done’ and we don’t know anything for certain.
‘It has been like an episode of True Crime.’
The building is located in a row of shops next to a brightly painted tanning salon.
The front room is laid out as a chapel with a cross on a desk serving as an altar and high backed kitchen chair under the desk.
One man who claimed to know the owner said: ‘He is from London but he lives in Anlaby in Hull now. He is quite posh.
‘He loves his motorbikes a little too much and if you like bikes you can have a decent conversation with him. He keeps a couple of bikes in the back of the funeral parlour which I always found a little weird.
‘He seems nice enough but I never really got on with him. He is always on your back. I used to call him Mr Nosey.
‘I thought for years that the bodies were not being treated right but I don’t know any details.’
Police outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull after launching an investigation into the company over reports of ‘concern for care of the deceased’
A police van was seen outside the Anlaby Road branch
Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, revealed her shock after hearing about the police probe, saying her ‘heart goes out to all the worried family members’
A police parked with a major incident unit outside a Legacy Independent Funeral Directors branch on Hessle road in Hull
At least six marked police vehicles were in attendance at the Hessle Road branch today
A forensic investigator speaks with a police officer outside the Hessle Road funeral directors
Police outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors
Police outside the Anlaby Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull
Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, revealed her shock after hearing about the police probe, saying her ‘heart goes out to all the worried family members’.
She reminded members of the public ‘it is important’ not to speculate about the nature of the probe, adding ‘the present focus is the investigation’.
The Labour MP said on Facebook last Friday: ‘I am extremely shocked to have been made aware that an investigation is taking place into a funeral directors in my constituency.
‘My heart goes out to all of the worried family members and loved ones. I can only imagine the distress and devastation that you will be feeling.
‘I have already spoken to the police and the Chief Executive of Hull City Council. I understand that the present focus is on a police investigation and believe it’s important not to speculate at this time, or do anything that may jeopardise its findings.
‘If you believe that you may have been affected, it is important that you contact the police on 0800 051 4674 or if you’re calling from abroad please call 0207 126 7619 as they will be able to offer help and support in the first instance.
‘If you are affected, be assured that I’m always here to support you and will do anything I can to help during this incredibly difficult time. I can be contacted at [email protected] and I will get back to you.’
