Murder investigation launched after human remains found in London park

'This is being treated as murder, and we currently believe the remains belong to one victim.'

Detectives have launched a murder investigation after human bones were discovered in a London park.

A policing team, paired with detectives and specialist units, identified the bones as human in Rowdown Fields, Croydon.

DI Martin Thorpe said: ‘We are not going to give specific details on our search of the area, but I can confirm that since yesterday we have recovered further remains.

‘After consultation with a forensic anthropologist, we are certain that these are human.

‘At this time, our search is not complete, and so local people will continue to see officers in the area.

‘This is being treated as murder, and we currently believe the remains belong to one victim.’

The remains were first found at around 9am on Tuesday.

Superintendent Lewis Collins said: ‘This is a very disturbing discovery and over the last day or so, the community in our borough has pulled together to give officers the space they need to carry out this important work.’

The confirmation of human remains in Croydon comes as human bones were also discovered on a popular UK beach.

Remains were discovered on Seaburn beach near Queen’s Parade in Sunderland on Good Friday, the start of the Easter long weekend.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: ‘We have received reports of bones or suspected body parts being found at Seaburn and Roker beaches in Sunderland over recent weeks.

‘We have now confirmed that some of these are human and we are currently treating the discoveries as unexplained.’

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