Devastating update on horror funeral home investigation after bodies and ashes removed by cops
POLICE investigating a funeral home today released a devastating update after removing bodies and ashes from the property.
A probe was launched last month after cops received reports of concerns for “care for the deceased” at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.
They removed 35 bodies and suspected human ashes from the Hull-based firm.
Humberside Police today confirmed they cannot identify people from the ashes due to the high temperatures required for cremation.
Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: “This will of course be devastating news for the families and loved ones and they have my heartfelt condolences.”
Police also revealed they have received 2,000 calls from worried loved ones.
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.
The pair have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Horrified relatives spoke of their concerns following the probe – including one woman who fears she kissed an empty coffin at her dad’s funeral.
Billie-Jo Suffill, a mum-of-three from Hull, said she felt “physically sick” after not receiving her father’s ashes.
She added: “I bet my dad was not even in the coffin – it was an empty coffin.
“I was kissing an empty coffin. When I think about it, it is disgusting.
“It’s like something out of a horror movie.
“I wonder if this will stop at 35 bodies. I think my dad is one of them.”
One widow was told she needed to identify her husband’s body eight months after he died as he was still in a freezer at the funeral home.
Three generations of the same family had been wearing jewellery made from the ashes of who they believed was their late loved one.
While Richard Shaw was told ashes he believed were late wife Rita were not actually hers.
Police revealed more than 1,000 calls had been received from concerned members of the public.
All 35 bodies recovered from the funeral home have now been identified.
Timeline of funeral probe
March 6 – Humberside Police receives report “expressing concern about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased”
8 March – Cordons put in place and officers attend at Legacy’s three premises – two in Hull and one in nearby Beverley
March 9 – Officers arrest a 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman at Heathrow Airport
March 10 – 34 bodies removed from Legacy’s premises in Hessle Road, Hull, and taken to the city’s mortuary
March 12 – Police revise number of bodies removed to 35 as well as human ashes. Two people arrested are bailed
March 15 – Families of all 35 deceased contacted. Specialists from the National Crime Agency are drafted in. Police say they have received more than 1,500 calls from the public
March 28 – Victim Support launches a helpline for families affected by the investigation