Third arrest in Legacy Funeral Directors probe
INVESTIGATION: Police at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in March
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Police investigating care of the deceased at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors have made a third arrest.
Humberside Police said a woman aged 54 had been arrested on suspicion of money laundering as “part of a pre-planned operation”.
She was in custody this afternoon being questioned by detectives, the force said.
In a further development, the force said a man aged 46 – who was on bail following his arrest in March this year on suspicion of prevention of a lawful burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position in connection to the investigation – has also been arrested today on suspicion of theft, making or supplying articles for use in frauds and offences under the Financial Services Act as part of the same operation. He remains in police custody.
A woman, 23, who was previously arrested in March on suspicion of prevention of a lawful burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position remains on police bail.
Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: “This remains an extremely complex and sensitive investigation and we continue to follow all lines of enquiry and seek answers for the families involved and those affected by this report.
“Three people have now been arrested as part of the investigation, two are in our custody and one remains on police bail whilst investigations continue.
“As we enter the fourth month since the initial report came in to us, we continue to keep the families, friends and everyone affected at the heart of everything we do and are committed to working with partners to ensure that they receive the help and support that they need.
“If you do have any concerns or feel impacted by any element of the ongoing investigation, please don’t hesitate to call the Victim Support 24-hour independent helpline on 0808 281 1136.”
The force launched a major investigation in March after receiving a report of “concern for care of the deceased” at the company’s premises in Hessle Road and Anlaby Road in Hull, and at Beckside in Beverley.
As part of the inquiry, a total of 35 bodies were moved from the Hessle Road site to a Hull mortuary. They were all formally identified and their relatives were informed.
On Monday, July 1, the force said it had contacted 163 families about the return of ashes recovered from the Hessle Road premises. It had said in April it would be unable to identify any of the ashes recovered because of the cremation process.