COPS have launched an appeal to find two boys who helped pull two bin bags which contained human remains from a Suffolk river.
A murder investigation was launched last Thursday when bin bags filled with bones were recovered from the River Stour close to Sudbury.
The two black bin bags were spotted in the river by a member of the public and reported to a ranger who called the police.
A shopping trolley was found a little further along the river from where the bags were located.
It’s thought the trolley was used to carry the bags before being thrown in the river.
Dog walker Barry Rock, 54, said he saw a Sainsbury’s trolley left beside a parking place on Wednesday evening just 100 yards from where the bags were found.
Mr Rock, a customer services worker at Waitrose, said he believed the shopping trolley he had seen may have been used to carry the human remains.
He said: “My attention was drawn to it because I wondered if it was from Waitrose – but then I saw the orange handle and realised it was Sainsbury’s.
“It was a surprise to see it there because it is about a mile and half from the supermarket. It looked quite new and did not appear to have been in the water.”
It is believed that the bags contained the remains of one person.
Investigators have said that an initial post-mortem examination has not shed any light on cause of death or the identification of the deceased.
The remains will now undergo further forensic tests, but officers warned previously that it will be a lengthy process before any further details are established.
They are now keen to speak to anyone who uses the footpath regularly, and in particular two boys who tried to help the person who made the discovery pull the bags out of the water.
Suffolk Police has also urged a man seen swimming in the area of the river known locally as the “Victorian bathing pool” on August 20 to contact them.
The Croft Road footbridge and footpath between Meadow Gate and Croft Gate remains closed while searches continue, the force said, and police divers are searching the river itself.
Temporary Detective Superintendent Mike Brown of Suffolk Police said: “We would still like to speak to anyone who uses the route regularly and to ask anyone who may have dash-cam footage of the area of the Croft to check this, in case there is anything relevant to the investigation.
“Thank you to those individuals who have already come forward with information and also to the local community for their patience as we continue with our searches.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference number 37/49998/20.
Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via Suffolk Police’s online portal.
